Chris Finch Lost His Mind a Little Bit During Timberwolves’ Game 1 Film Session
The Minnesota Timberwolves kicked off the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, but head coach Chris Finch isn’t sure the team was aware of that reality. If they weren’t, they certainly are now.
After getting bested by Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, and Jason Kidd’s Dallas Mavericks, the Wolves needed a reality check that they got via head coach Chris Finch on Thursday during a film session of last night’s game one matchup.
Seems like the Wolves had a sobering film session today.
— Alec Ausmus (@A_TwiceKSTP) May 23, 2024
A telling quote from Chris Finch:
"The Western Conference Finals started, I'm not sure if they got the memo. But they got it this afternoon."
Game-2 is tomorrow night at 7:30. pic.twitter.com/DqSYsiIDHn
“Yeah, it was a rough film session. I told the guys, ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve been this disappointed in your effort, your performance, your attitude, your application and attention to detail. It just wasn’t there. The Western Conference finals started. Not sure if they got the memo. But they got it this afternoon.”
“Yeah, our approach, we just played flat. Gameplan was not on point for execution. Decision making on offense was not very good. We got beat on a lot of hustle plays. Transition, offensive rebounds, stuff like that.
Chris Finch on the Timberwolves effort in game 1 and the film session that followed
Saying that “it’s hard to imagine playing much worse,” Finch couldn’t have been more correct. In their biggest game of the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves were virtually without two of their top players. The impact of Karl Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards couldn’t have been felt any less, and it resulted in a three-point loss.
Did Chris Finch go savage on the Minnesota Timberwolves during a film session today?
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Chris Finch’s club didn’t get their doors blown off in a game they certainly were deserving to experience that in. Postgame, multiple players talked about being tired and coming out flat. Clearly, Finchy isn’t having that anymore.
“Fatigue can’t be a factor, at this point of the season. I think, [chuckling] after the film session we had on game one, we’ll have a lot more energy and juice in game two.”
Kyle Anderson on the Wolves’ fatigue factor and Finch’s film session Thursday (video above)
That’s really not an excusable reason for failing to show up in the Western Conference Finals, and it’s not a reality that a fanbase looking for execution is going to accept either.
Related: Paul Allen Watches Timberwolves Games Exactly How You Would Expect
Hosting Game 2 at Target Center on Friday, Chris Finch will be looking for more from his leaders, and that starts with 22-year-old Anthony Edwards. He has risen to that status amongst his peers, and the level of leadership has been on display throughout these playoffs. I expect that to continue.
Think this possession is a good representation of how the Wolves want to guard Dallas
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) May 23, 2024
– McDaniels-Doncic; Edwards-Irving; Conley-Jones; Towns-Washington; Gobert-Gafford
– Have McDaniels provide pressure full
– KAT up to touch in ball screen action
– Rudy also up, but maybe not… pic.twitter.com/lR4wrbjEcy
It’s unfortunate that Finch had to have a knock down, drag out type of conversation with his team, but if that’s what it takes to reel them back in, so be it. A day from now the Minnesota Timberwolves can show how capable they are of being able to respond, and answering the Dallas Mavericks intensity is a must.
If Kyrie Irving and his cronies thought Anthony Edwards non-story was bulletin board material going into Game 1, then it stands to reason a tongue lashing from the coach of a better team should be plenty motivational for Chris Finch’s squad in Game 2.
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