MINNEAPOLIS — Tom Thibodeau isn’t the first one to be miserable in Minnesota with December approaching.
Thibodeau’s reign as president/coach is off to an arctic start — the Timberwolves bottoming out at Target Center on Monday night in a 112-103 loss to Utah before just 9,000 fans. Many left early and didn’t see the Jazz score on 15 of 19 possessions in the fourth quarter.
That defensive culture Derrick Rose credits Thibodeau for establishing in Chicago hasn’t stuck yet in the Twin Cities. The headline in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s sports cover read: “Jazz Latest To Make Wolves Look Small.’’
Panic mode has already set in, with Minnesota off to a 5-12 start. The former Knicks assistant looked pained as he spoke of the T’Wolves’ travails at Tuesday’s practice as they geared up for a home-and-home versus Phil Jackson’s club.
He was at least calmer than during a postgame tirade Jeff Van Gundy would have loved.
“The second quarter was a disaster,’’ Thibodeau said.
“Fourth quarter, disaster. Thirteen blow-bys in the second half. Not good. We have to back it up. We have to take a look at everything.’’
It seems early to be talking such talk, considering the Wolves are chock full of young talent, but not if you know Thibodeau like Minnesota assistant Rick Brunson does. You remember Brunson, former backup Knicks point guard and best buddies with Latrell Sprewell.
“He’s here to win,’’ Brunson said. “You’re talking about the best coach in the NBA.’’
“Gregg Popovich?’’
“OK, I’ll give you Popovich.’’
A majority of the Knicks fan base — and media — campaigned for Jackson to hire the defensive guru last spring, even though the Zen Master said he would interview coaches with whom he’d be “simpactico.’’ There was not even a phone call to Thibodeau. The lamenting resurfaced when the Knicks obtained Rose and Joakim Noah, whom Thibodeau turned into studs in Chicago.
Jackson didn’t like how it ended between Thibodeau and the Bulls’ front office. Even his friends will say this wasn’t a match, even if Jeff Hornacek doesn’t pan out. Thibodeau’s two mentors are Van Gundy and the deceased Bill Musselman, neither of whom was ever on Jackson’s Christmas card list.
Van Gundy, with Thibodeau by his side, mocked Jackson’s offense, branding him “Big Chief Triangle.’’ Musselman, coaching the Tampa Bay/Rapid City Thrillers, beat Jackson to a pulp during their Continental Basketball Association wars. Then Musselman, reputed for bending the rules, replaced Jackson in Albany after his 1987 resignation.
As the story goes, Thibodeau, a young Harvard assistant, read about Musselman’s record-setting Patroons’ season and drove to Albany during Christmas to watch arguably the most fiery basketball coach ever conduct practice. They became fast friends and Musselman hired him as an assistant after he became the Wolves’ first head coach in 1989.
“Everything worked out fine for everybody,’’ Thibodeau said of the Jackson snub. “This job worked out perfectly — the one I wanted. They got a great coach. It’s fine.’’
Thibodeau’s second stint in Minnesota has been less than fine.
Poor point-guard play coupled with 2016 Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns regressing on defense. Towns took the blame for the season’s bad start Monday, getting emotional in the locker room.
Thibodeau and Towns haven’t clicked the way Thibodeau clicked with Rose and Noah. Thibodeau was unmoved by Towns’ mea culpa.
“It’s not the words,’’ Thibodeau said. “It’s the actions. When you say you care about winning, you have to make sure you’re doing the things necessary to win. Getting through a pick, blocking out a man, passing up a good shot for a great shot. After the game, you can say anything. What’s important is the things you’re doing during the game and the next day what are things you’re doing to improve it and get better.’’
Rose and Noah face Thibodeau on Wednesday, then back to the Garden for Friday’s rematch. Thibodeau loosens up at the mention of their names.
“Obviously my history with those guys — both great guys, we’ve been through a lot together,’’ Thibodeau said. “New York’s an ideal situation for them. I’m happy for them. I won’t be happy for them tomorrow, though.”
While Rose has shown his old explosiveness, Noah is a major work in progress — like the Wolves.
“Both guys have gone through a lot,’’ Thibodeau said. “They’re good people. They’re both very, very talented. Never question that. It’s been their health that’s set them back some.”
It will be a trip down memory lane for Thibodeau the next few days.
“It’s always good to go home,’’ Thibodeau said. “I’m from Connecticut and spent seven years [with the Knicks].’’
Seven months back in Minnesota may have already felt like seven years.