Asked whether a 20-win improvement in 2008-09 was a realistic
expectation, McHale responded, "I think we should next year," offering
that on a condition of the avoidance of major injuries.
expectation, McHale responded, "I think we should next year," offering
that on a condition of the avoidance of major injuries.
Later, coach Randy Wittman was more cautious about that lofty goal…
Also from Campbell:
Wittman’s career coaching record, including two seasons in Cleveland,
dropped to an embarrassing 96-192. "I don’t see any change coming
unless you know something I don’t know," McHale said, later adding: "I
think Randy’s growing as a coach, and that’s what you’ve got to do."
The Wolves have the option to match any contract offers Ryan Gomes,
Sebastian Telfair, Craig Smith, Kirk Snyder and Chris Richard receive
this summer, and McHale said he has already prioritized that list
because it’s unlikely the team will be able to re-sign all five. He
called Gomes "definitely a guy we’d like to bring back." When asked
specifically if he’d extend qualifying offers — a procedure that keeps
the team’s right to match — to Telfair and Snyder by June 30, McHale
said he’d wait to see who and how the team drafts on June 26.
Sebastian Telfair, Craig Smith, Kirk Snyder and Chris Richard receive
this summer, and McHale said he has already prioritized that list
because it’s unlikely the team will be able to re-sign all five. He
called Gomes "definitely a guy we’d like to bring back." When asked
specifically if he’d extend qualifying offers — a procedure that keeps
the team’s right to match — to Telfair and Snyder by June 30, McHale
said he’d wait to see who and how the team drafts on June 26.
But the biggest improvement of all will have to come from the players who suffered through this season and yet gained valuable experience.
"I like a lot of the things that happened with the
team," McHale said. "I do like our young guys, our core group moving
forward. I think there’s really people here to build around. We’re
excited about that. I fully anticipate next year having a huge — being
healthy is a big thing — but I see us having a huge jump in our win
totals. I’m excited about it."
team," McHale said. "I do like our young guys, our core group moving
forward. I think there’s really people here to build around. We’re
excited about that. I fully anticipate next year having a huge — being
healthy is a big thing — but I see us having a huge jump in our win
totals. I’m excited about it."
Although McHale didn’t say he would be around for
years to come — it has been his standard stance to say he re-evaluates
his desire to return on an annual basis — he said the players on this
team make his job fun.
years to come — it has been his standard stance to say he re-evaluates
his desire to return on an annual basis — he said the players on this
team make his job fun.
There’s a belief among those close to the Wolves
that it would be difficult for McHale to walk away from the team in its
current state. He wants to get the team back on the rise, presumably
before handing over control of the team to assistant general manager
Fred Hoiberg.