Chris Finch Becomes First Timberwolves All-Star Game Coach Since Flip Saunders
The Minnesota Timberwolves won on Sunday night, defeating the Houston Rockets 111-90. Anthony Edwards took over, scoring 22 points in the third quarter on his way to a game-high 32 points.
But this game was really about Finchy. Now that the Timberwolves have clinched the best record in the Western Conference, Chris Finch has been named the head coach of the 2024 NBA All-Star Game’s Western Conference team. Not only will Finch get to coach the game’s best players, but his entire staff gets to join him in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 18th.
It’s been a long time coming for Coach Finch, who took over as the Timberwolves’ leader in the middle of the 2020-21 season. It didn’t take long for his bright offensive mind to show signs of progress. The very next season, the Timberwolves doubled their win total, going from 23 to 46 wins. They haven’t missed the playoffs since.
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Chris Finch Joins Flip Saunders as Timberwolves’ Coaching Legends
Finch will be the Timberwolves’ first All-Star game coach since Flip Saunders did so back in 2004 when the team finished with 58 wins on the way to a trip to the Western Conference Finals. This year’s version is on pace for 57 regular season wins.
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Saunders’ impact on the Timberwolves franchise will never be forgotten. Yet, as much success as the late great coach had, Finch’s 54.5% win percentage ranks first all-time among coaches in Timberwolves history. Saunders ranks second, with a more than respectable 52.1% win rate during his time in Minnesota. Tom Thibodeau ranks third, at 47.5%.
While the regular season success is fun, and being at the All-Star Game will be special too, we get the impression that Finchy really only cares about getting to the playoffs.
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