Timberwolves Tom Thibodeau soaking up Olympic Experience
By Ryan Palmer
Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Tom Thibodeau is currently in Rio de Janeiro fighting for a gold medal with the rest of USA Basketball. After an unpaid sabbatical Thibodeau is looking forward to getting back to coaching.
In an interview with SI’s Andrew Sharp, Tom Thibodeau discussed his time away from the game, and what he’s looking forward to with the Timberwolves.
Getting a feel for our new coach…
I can tell you with one-hundred percent certainty Coach Thibs will not come into Target Center quietly. Stories are abundant about Tom’s booming voice taking over arenas when the crowd is quiet. “I can’t hear you coach,” will not be said by a Wolves player in 2016-17 to Thibodeau.
Don’t let his booming voice fool you though, Thib’s has a softer side. When asked about his favorite trip from his year away, basketball related or not, he had this to say-
"Favorite one… let’s see. Probably going to St. Thomas. I went on vacation with my nephews to St. Thomas and we had a ball. So that was the best one. Napa was up there too. It was in the middle of the season. And I just thought, it’s rather strange to be doing this in the middle of the season. But it was enjoyable. It was ‘how’d this happen?’ But it was a lot of fun."
Add great family man to his resume. Sounds like he is not afraid to have a little fun either.
Sharp inquired about how his USA Basketball experience would benefit his coaching, Thibs was quick to point out the experience level on the team. He believes the ideas he is learning at the Olympic Games will transfer nicely in his never-ending quest to become a better coach. Knowledge is power, and Tom Thibodeau is surrounded by it at the moment.
More from Sporting Sota
- Minnesota Twins bullpen will be their downfall
- Top 5 Minnesota Twins Pitching Prospects
- Kyle Rudolph signing gives stability to Minnesota Vikings offense
- Jake Odorizzi’s emergence fueling Twins starting staff
- Former Minnesota Twins player David Ortiz shot
Tom is getting the opportunity to work with some of basketball’s finest. The Minnesota Timberwolves are a very young team. Perhaps Coach K and Jim Boeheim are giving him pointers on working with the new generation coming into the NBA.
With his schedule being completely occupied through the summer months Coach Thibs was asked if he had any time to meet with his new team. He stated that Karl-Anthony Towns and other Wolves teammates came to him during the NBA’s D-league in Vegas. Multitasking seems to be a Thibodeau trait.
Minnesota fans are excited to get our coach back from Rio. Tom Thibodeau is just one of the many reasons Minnesota Timberwolves fanatics are excited heading into the season. Although he has been out of the game for a year, his experience with Team USA will make Minnesota a better ball club.
Next: Minnesota Vikings: No respect in latest ESPN Power Rankings
Soak it up Thibs, soak it up…