T-wolves Fire Coach, Put GM McHale to the Test

Coaches are dropping like flies, and the latest has a special twist to it that you might never, ever forget. Randy Wittman is now out in Minnesota, and GM Kevin McHale is taking over the job for the time being.↵
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↵This isn’t the first time that the Wolves GM has let a coach go and installed himself there. After firing Flip Saunders in February of 2005, McHale rode out the rest of the season, going a respectable 19-12. But when 2005-06 rolled around, Dwane Casey had the job. It would appear that, unlike Isiah, McHale would prefer to keep himself behind the scenes when it comes to running a team.↵
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↵Here’s the thing, though: Having to coach a team is the ultimate test of general manager accountability. And McHale has long been considered one of the league’s dimmer executives; his most notable moves are drafting Garnett and trading Garnett in what looked like a favor to old Celtics pal Danny Ainge. Oh, and forfeiting the team’s No. 1 pick for several years in a frenzied attempt to re-sign Joe Smith. At best, he’s ineffectual, at worst, disastrous. So why not put him in charge of the roster he’s assembled? Clearly, he had some vision in mind when these players were acquired. Now, it’s time for him to put his money where his other job is, and show us exactly what the hell his master plan’s supposed to look like.↵
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↵That’s why you’ve got to hand it to Zeke. Larry Brown couldn’t/wouldn’t embrace Thomas’ ideals, so the front office ruler stepped in to show him how to do it. It was a disaster, but at least it was honest. There’s no hiding behind the coach, and no speculating as to whether you’ve put together a team that should be able to produce. It’s just the GM and what he hath wrought. McHale passed this test the first time around. Without Garnett, though, it’ll be a little tougher. And if he comes through, we just might all learn something.↵