It is no secret that Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Karl-Anthony Towns did not exactly see eye to eye with former teammate Jimmy Butler. As it turns out, however, Towns' “distaste” for Butler also had an adverse effect on Towns' relationship with former coach Tom Thibodeau.
This report comes via Marc Berman of the New York Post:
Tom Thibodeau and Towns didn’t get along in Minnesota. One source believes it was more Towns’ distaste for Jimmy Butler than it was the head coach. Of course, Thibodeau sided with Butler on all fronts.
Butler parted ways with Minnesota after that infamous practice bust-up back in November of 2018. It wasn't long before the Wolves dismissed Thibodeau, who was relieved of his positions as both the team's head coach and president of basketball operations that same season. Clearly, it was Towns who the franchise had opted to side with in all this — and with good reason.
It was not detailed in the report as to why Thibodeau sided with Butler “on all fronts,” but based on what we've read from multiple reports, it might have something to do with Butler's incessant desire to win. Rumor has it that this was the very reason why Butler wanted out of Minnesota, simply because he believed that Towns (as well as Andrew Wiggins) did not possess the same winning mentality. Coach Thibs himself is a proven winner, so perhaps he too had some issue with the lack of a winning culture within the franchise.
Be that as it may, Thibodeau is now with the New York Knicks, as he hopes to resurrect the franchise from one of the darkest periods in its storied history. On the other hand, Butler is currently contending for a championship with the Miami Heat, and in the process, has effectively decimated the “bad teammate” narrative. But don't expect Karl-Anthony Towns to sing him praises just yet.
Follow Us
Subscribe