Since the start of the series against the Nuggets, Chris Finch delegates part of his coaching to his assistant Micah Nori. Victim of a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee in the last match against the Suns, the Wolves coach had surgery and must spend his time behind his bench, sitting. A new experience for him and his players.
As Minnesota won both games in Denver, including the second without Rudy Gobert and with a defensive display, we can say that this transition is being made successfully.
“It was great. The most important thing for me was to find a way to be involved and active,” explains Chris Finch. “I can easily see the field, interact with the coaches, the players. Our assistants did a remarkable job. My main concern was whether or not this would disrupt or distract players. But they agreed and easily adapted to it. »
However, from a physical point of view, the coach is not in an ideal situation. He only had surgery a few days ago, so he has to grit his teeth.
“Yes, there is a certain pain, which is constantly there”specifies the one who must put ice on his knee when he is not with his players. ” We must make do. I know the players appreciate me being there. I'm happy to be here, so I wouldn't miss it for anything. »
“If he asks us to play despite injuries, he better be on this bench”
Always present at the most important moment of the season, the coach, whose medical situation improves as the days go by, has an impact on the morale of his players.
“He’s our leader. Sometimes he gets up on his crutches to yell at us. He has a passion for this sport and it rubs off on others”Judge Mike Conley. “He wants it. He wants to be part of this and we want him to be there too. It’s enormous to see his hardness”adds Naz Reid.
Maintaining your position and doing your job while injured is what players are often asked to do. There, it is a coach who implements it, therefore, it sets an example for his troops. “If he asks us to play despite injuries, he better be on that bench,” laughs Mike Conley.
“For someone like me, who is coming out of a meniscus knee operation, much less important than his, I can imagine that the doctor told him not to travel, not to take the plane”comments Karl-Anthony Towns. “And Chris Finch said, 'No, I'm going to be there for my team.' When someone is willing to fight like that, of course their players are going to do the same. »
