Wolves: Wittman gets interim tag removed - 明尼蘇達灰狼 Minnesota Timberwolves

http://www.startribune.com/wolves/story/1202209.html

Randy Wittman is not ready to make specific promises about how the
Timberwolves will play next fall. The reason? So much could change with the
personnel on the team between now and then that Wittman wants to see exactly
what he has before he makes any guarantees.
But there are fundamental issues that will be easier to construct from the
season's beginning rather than on the fly. And that's a big reason why
Wittman was so happy to finally sign a multiyear deal Wednesday to return as
Wolves coach. The contract is believed to be for three seasons, although
terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The interim label Wittman carried since being promoted from assistant to head
coach on Jan. 23 following Dwane Casey's firing caused him all kinds of
headaches. Leading the team from the start of training camp will be better.

"That was hard," Wittman said of last season, when he took over a 20-20 team
and led it to a 12-30 finish (32-50 overall). "It was hard to actually
incorporate all of what your beliefs are, taking over [at midseason] and
trying to pick and choose what you're going to put in because of the time
constraints. ... It's much easier when you start from the beginning, lay it
on the line -- 'This is how we're going to play' -- and move forward."

Wittman will be among a group consulting with vice president of basketball
operations Kevin McHale as the team begins preparing for the June 28 NBA
draft, evaluating the free agent market and prepping for possible offseason
trades.

But there are core values Wittman wants to instill: Success built on defense;
an offense that stresses unselfish play; accountability.

"We'll go out and defend, and we'll do it on a consistent basis," Wittman
said. "I like to, from an offensive standpoint, have some structure. But I
want to be able to flow and play the game, reacting on what the [opponent] is
doing rather than go so structured, have a more free-flowing offense."

McHale said a day after the season ended that he wanted Wittman to continue
his third stint with the team, so Wednesday's announcement was not a surprise.

"He is the kind of coach who will demand an effort," McHale said. "He will be
a guy who will push the players, and yet I think he's flexible enough that
they'll enjoy playing for him. He will come in and give us good leadership."

Wittman, an NBA player for nine seasons, previously was a head coach for two
seasons in Cleveland from 1999-2001, compiling a 62-102 record.

Wittman likely will be doing some tweaking of his assistant coaching staff.
Wittman said Bob Ociepka and Rex Kalamian, still under contract, will be
back. "We'll tweak it in terms of who is on the bench and who won't be with
those two guys."

Vince Taylor has left to join Tubby Smith's staff at the University of
Minnesota. Bob Thornton's contract has expired and it appears he will not be
back. Aleksandar Dzikic could be reassigned, perhaps using his NBA experience
in his native Europe. Advance scout Brent Haskins figures to return.

As far as additions to the staff, one possible assistant candidate could be
former Wolves assistant Jerry Sichting, now with Marquette University, who
has worked alongside Wittman in the past.


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