Chris Finch Intensity on Rise; Bones Hyland Wants to Stay in Minnesota

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Chris Finch, Bones Hyland - Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves, like twelve other NBA teams with their spot in the NBA Playoffs already solidified, as of Wednesday, are waiting until the play-in tournament is complete so the real postseason can begin.

For the No. 6 seed Wolves, the playoff journey begins Saturday afternoon, when game one of their first round matchup against the 3-seed Denver Nuggets will tip off in the Mile High City.

Just like this time last year (vs LAL)… and the first round series the year before that (vs PHO), Anthony Edwards and the boys enter this seven-game set against Denver as massive underdogs.

Not only are the Timberwolves +280 in the sportsbooks, but ALL TWELVE experts over at ESPN picked the Nuggets to outduel the Wolves in five anywhere from five to seven games.

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach has flipped the playoff switch

And if there’s anyone who’s noticeably ramped up the intensity down at Mayo Clinic Square recently, it’s MN Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch.

According to Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) today on KFAN with Paul Allen, the normally affable “Finchy” is all business these past few days. In fact, the longtime Wolves insider even described the sixth-year head coach as “a little salty” right now, and “on edge”.

“Chris [Finch] is a little salty right now, and he is on edge, and he is intense, and he is preparing these guys and it is all business right now. And that’s the attitude that these guys have to have going into this series. You can feel it. There’s definitely there’s definitely an edge to this group and to this coaching staff as they prepare to get ready for a huge challenge.”

“I think it’s a recognition that these guys need a different kind of motivation. He has tried to be the guy who just lets them sort of police themselves and and and operate with kind of a lot of freedom during the regular season, and quite frankly, there are a lot of disappointing nights where they just didn’t bring the requisite intensity, focus, attention to detail, effort, and and and so they kicked away a bunch of a bunch of games that they should have had.”

Jon Krawczynski – KFAN Radio

Without a doubt, the Minnesota Timberwolves have lacked focus throughout the season, dropping games numerous times to teams that should not be allowed in the same gym with the amount of talent Chris Finch can deploy.

Is Chris Finch’s job in jeopardy if Timberwolves lose round one?

Still, Alex Rodriguez gave Finchy a huge vote of confidence on TV, during the game earlier this week, and according to all reports, his job is safe going into next season, no matter how things turn out for the 2025-26 Timberwolves.

However, this roster does need a swift kick in the ass sometimes. And if Finchy — who Jon says has definitely been made aware of ESPN’s “expert picks” — has planned this entire time to show his teeth, in hopes it will have a greater effect on his team… well, I don’t totally hate that strategy.

I also think that there there’s a super competitive side to Chris Finch. He does see that every single writer at ESPN picked the Nuggets to win. He does hear the chatter about the Wolves being incredible underdogs in this series, and and I think there’s a little defiance to him.

He wants to prove everyone wrong again. He believes, and this entire team believes that they should deserve some benefit of the doubt from their last two years and the success that they’ve had. And and so there’s, you know, that part of it that is creeping into this — a chip on the shoulder, which I think is really good for this team.

Jon Krawczynski – KFAN Radio

Much like Jonny Athletic, I expect the Wolves to reflect their head coach’s new edge on Saturday afternoon, especially on defense, where the certainly have the ability to overwhelm opposing NBA offenses, even the best in the league, which Denver’s is. We’ll just have to wait and see if his strategy pays off, in the end

Whatever Chris Finch, Tim Connelly, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are doing down at Mayo Clinic Square, it’s working for rising bench star, Bones Hyland, who has emerged as one of Minnesota’s best microwave offense and energy option off the bench.

Bones Hyland says he is staying in Minnesota long-term

On Wednesday, in an interview at Mayo Clinic Square with FOX 9’s Pierre Noujaim, Hyland revealed that he isn’t planning to use his recent come-up with the Timberwolves to springboard him elsewhere for, possibly, a more lucrative opportunity.

Instead, the pending unrestricted free agent told Noujaim, he wants to remain in Minnesota for the long haul.

Noujaim: “When you look at your free agency status coming up, how much do you consider how well things have gone in Minnesota, when you do eventually make a decision in your free agency?”

Hyland: “Yeah, I want to come back, man. This is home for me. They took me in with open arms, this is where I want to be.”

Hyland — who the Wolves signed on a two-way deal late last season (Feb. 27), then brought back on a new contract NBA contract late this last offseason (Sep. 15) — has played 71 games this season, averaging 8.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game.

However, he’s become a much more important part of the rotation in recent months, averaging 11.3 points, 2.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per game since February 4.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.

Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.