Surprise: Wolves got it right with Adelman

The Timberwolves and their wacky general manager David Kahn appear to have finally gotten one right with the hiring of new coach Rick Adelman.

Adelman is regarded by many as a future Hall of Fame coach, which puts him light years ahead of anyone else who’s coached this franchise. And yes, that includes Flip Saunders, who’s struggled at every stop he’s been since being fired by the Wolves during the latter stages of the Kevin Garnett era.

Adelman has won virtually everywhere he’s gone. Yes, most of his coaching jobs have been with franchises rich with talent. Still, Adelman always seems to get the most out of that talent.

His most impressive coaching job might have been his last one, directing the Houston Rockets. This was a franchise that was rocked with injuries to its two best players, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, during Adelman’s stay there. Still, in four years with the franchise, Adelman still compiled a record of 193-135, the highest winning percentage in franchise history. Adelman’s former players talk of him being the best coach they’ve ever been associated with.

Now, he gets the Wolves. The Wolves, who have been the laughingstock of the league ever since Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007.

He gets a Wolves franchise that almost everyone agrees has a goofy generally manager who is in over his head, Kahn. And he gets a Wolves team that had the fewest wins in the NBA last year.

But he also gets one that most agree is not void of talent — which, along with a boatload of money he's receiving — is likely why he accepted the job. It is young talent, to be sure. But there are no doubt some intriguing pieces, led by all-star forward/center Kevin Love, and fellow youngsters Derrick Williams, Wesley Johnson, Ricky Rubio and Michael Beasley.

Adelman likes to play a fast-paced, flowing style on offense, which would suit this athletic crew well. He also is known as a better-than-average defensive coach, which this stop-nobody team aches for most of all.

It will be interesting to see what he can get done in Minnesota. It’s been a long time since anybody has been able to get anything done coaching this franchise. Maybe, just maybe, this is the start of much better days and seasons ahead. At least Adelman provides hope for that.

— Pat Ruff