Ryan Saunders Articles - Page 2

Yes, the most notable highlight of the young 2019-20 NBA season for the Minnesota Timberwolves has been Karl-Anthony Towns getting into a fight with Joel Embiid. This comes after Towns, Jimmy Butler, and the Timberwolves had their ugly falling-out last season, which concluded with the organization trading Butler and finishing with a losing record (36-46). […]

The Western Conference was projected as a bloodbath for months. Between superstars like Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis making their way to Los Angeles and teams like the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz reloading, this summer gave us a glimpse into just how explosive the West could be this year. Yet through five games, the […]

Karl-Anthony Towns has started the 2019-20 season on a tear, averaging 32 points and 13.3 rebounds per game while leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 3-0 start. The big KAT will have his first real test, bound to face the Philadelphia 76ers and center Joel Embiid on Wednesday, the battle between two undefeated teams and […]

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders says rookie swingman Jarrett Culver has been among the impressive Wolves players early in training camp. The Timberwolves acquired Culver from the Phoenix Suns on draft night. Ryan Saunders said Jarrett Culver has been among the impressive Wolves early in camp. — Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) October 5, 2019 Culver […]

Former Minnesota Timberwolves interim coach Ryan Saunders is now promoted as a full-time head coach and one of the first things on his wish list is seeing franchise superstar Karl-Anthony Towns work on his pick-and-roll defense. According to Chris Hine of Star Tribune, the young coach feels that Towns needs to improve his defense for […]

With the Minnesota Timberwolves looking to bounce back from a rather forgettable season, a lot of pressure will be riding on the shoulders of former first overall pick Andrew Wiggins. Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders appears to have added some more pressure on the 24-year-old, saying the team’s success will heavily rely on how Wiggins […]

There have been a handful of coaching changes during this NBA offseason, but just because a coach wasn’t fired recently doesn’t mean his job is safe for the next campaign. Here are five coaches whose seats could be feeling a bit warmer for 2019-2020. 5. Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee Bucks In his first season with the […]

Minnesota Timberwolves wing Andrew Wiggins has not exactly lived up to expectations, and his 2018-19 campaign may have been the worst season of his career yet. But Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders says that he thinks Wiggins will be determined to prove all of his doubters wrong next season: “That’s going to be an ongoing […]

Despite the Minnesota Timberwolves seemingly losing hope (and patience) on Andrew Wiggins, head coach Ryan Saunders is not yet ready to give up on the former top overall pick. The Timberwolves reportedly tried to trade Wiggins and his horrendous contract this offseason, as they see him more of a liability. While Wiggins has posted incredible […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have hired Portland Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool, who will become the associate head coach on Ryan Saunders’ staff, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Vanterpool is expected to act as the defensive coordinator and play a key role in support of a young Ryan Saunders, who recently welcomed another addition with his […]

Gersson Rosas believed enough in Ryan Saunders to retain him as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ full-time head coach. Still, that doesn’t mean the 33-year-old son of the late Flip Saunders was granted full autonomy by Rosas over Minnesota’s coaching staff. Far from it, in fact. According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, the Timberwolves’ […]

Ryan Saunders was officially retained as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ head coach last month, but didn’t receive final say from newly-appointed president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas on how to fill out out his coaching staff. In fact, Saunders’ first choice as his top assistant, coaching veteran Sidney Lowe, was apparently flatly rejected by Rosas. Considering […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have parted ways with five members of head coach Ryan Saunders’ staff. More specifically, ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin says the Timberwolves parted ways with five of Saunders’ assistants on May 21. The Minnesota Timberwolves turned over Ryan Saunders’ coaching staff on Tuesday night, league sources told ESPN. They parted ways with […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially named Ryan Saunders as the full-time head coach. New Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas explained the move in a statement: “I’m pleased to announce Ryan Saunders as our head coach,” Gersson Rosas said, via NBA.com. “Ryan is an excellent communicator and has developed open and trusting relationships with […]

Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns vouched for Ryan Saunders to get the full-time head coaching job, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. Saunders took over for Tom Thibodeau on January 6, 2019. The Timberwolves went only 17-25 under Saunders, but the players gravitated towards him, most notably Towns. Ryan Saunders candidacy for the […]

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders is expected to finalize a multi-year deal to remain with the franchise as the permanent man at the helm, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. UPDATE: An agreement with Saunders has been reached, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.  New president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas was quick […]

Newly hired Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas has plans to interview candidates for the franchise’s head coaching job this week, though current head coach Ryan Saunders is still in the mix, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Among them are Miami Heat assistant Juwan Howard and Portland Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool, two […]

New Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas has reportedly met with interim head coach Ryan Saunders extensively recently and will make his decision on who will be the Wolves coach over the next 7-10 days, according to Christopher Hine of the Star Tribune. Saunders replaced Tom Thibodeau in January after the Timberwolves fired […]

Ryan Saunders, who was named interim head coach after the Minnesota Timberwolves parted ways with Tom Thibodeau, is expected to become the team’s official head coach. Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor has already implemented changes in the organization following a relatively tumultuous year. To recall, the regular season saw the end of the Jimmy Butler […]

Just hours into his appointment as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ new president for basketball operations, Gersson Rosas is not wasting any time in fulfilling his role for the team. At the very top of his list are the decisions that need to be made on the futures of interim head coach Ryan Saunders and current team […]

The​ Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing plans to​ make​ Houston Rockets executive​ vice​ president​ Gersson Rosas their​ new​ president of​​ basketball operations. Rosas has a previous relationship with Timberwolves interim head coach Ryan Saunders, but there has been nothing finalized on Saunders’ future with the club, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Saunders took over for […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have launched a search for a new president of basketball operations, but it sounds like they’d like to retain general manager Scott Layden and interim coach Ryan Saunders as the team moves towards a new structure. According to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Timberwolves are willing to offer Saunders a […]

The 2018-19 campaign did not exactly go as planned for the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Jimmy Butler demanded a trade and was eventually dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in November. As a result, the Timberwolves did not make the playoffs, but their locker room did become much more easygoing, and it’s not like they didn’t pick […]

Andrew Wiggins has had a rather disappointing season, posting eerily similar numbers to his 2017-18 totals, ones that showed a steep decline from a promising third season in the league. However, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders is proud of the newfound aggression he has shown during his brief time at the helm of the […]

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders believes that the future is bright for Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Luka Doncic. Saunders, who is coaching in his first season in the NBA, said that the Mavs star is showing impressive confidence for a rookie, who just turned 20 a month ago. The young head coach is convinced […]

Philadelphia 76ers stud Jimmy Butler was greeted with a host of boos on Saturday as he made his return to his former stomping ground. The Minneosta Timberwolves were hosting the Sixers, and the home crowd made sure that Butler knew how they felt about him. However, Wolves head coach Ryan Saunders was pure class as […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered another defeat on Saturday, as they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 118-109. Following the disappointing loss, Wolves superstar Karl-Anthony Towns admitted that one of the biggest reasons the team has been struggling of late is due to their inability to completely adjust to the mid-season coaching changes that took place within […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly leaning towards keeping Ryan Saunders as the head coach next season, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. Saunders replaced Tom Thibodeau on January 6 after the Timberwolves fired Thibodeau. Minnesota has gone 14-19 under Saunders and will miss the playoffs this season after making it in 2017-18. Saunders has […]

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders has been encouraged by Karl-Anthony Towns swift improvement in pick-and-roll scenarios, making him an even deadlier big man to defend out in the perimeter. “I think last game he was very good in the pick-and-roll,” said Saunders of Towns’ recent game against the Memphis Grizzlies. “He knew that Memphis […]

Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor likes the job interim head coach Ryan Saunders is doing and says the young coach has a chance to become the full-time head coach this summer. The Timberwolves are 10-11 under Saunders, who replaced Tom Thibodeau in January: “I think he has a good chance [to get the job full-time],” […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly haven’t contacted any potential executives or coaches as possible replacements for general manager Scott Layden and interim head coach Ryan Saunders, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Atheltic. The Timberwolves will continue to evaluate both Layden and Saunders during the second half of the season. The Timberwolves have yet to contact any […]

James Harden of the Houston Rockets has done superhuman feats this season. From offensive records set or broken, he has done everything in his power to keep his team above water. But for Minnesota Timberwolves interim head coach Ryan Saunders, the Rockets star doesn’t get enough credit for his efforts. Saunders shared that the reason […]

Philadelphia 76ers star Jimmy Butler gave current Minnesota Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders a big hug prior to Tuesday night’s game between the two teams. Naturally, there was plenty of attention on this particular matchup as Butler takes on his former team, and it figures to be quite a spectacle at Wells Fargo Center. But before […]

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose says new head coach Ryan Saunders has given the team more freedom on the floor and made things simpler on offense and defense. The Timberwolves are 2-1 since Ryan Saunders replaced Tom Thibodeau, who was fired on Jan. 6 after the team beat the Los Angeles Lakers by 22 […]

It is pretty well-known that Philadelphia 76ers wing Jimmy Butler is not exactly a fan of Tom Thibodeau, something that was made blatantly obvious earlier this year when Butler demanded a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves while Thibodeau was a coach and front-office executive. After the Timberwolves made the decision to fire Thibodeau earlier this […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a deal to add veteran assistant Jerry Sichting to Ryan Saunders’ coaching staff, according to Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania of The Athletic. Sichting was an assistant for the Timberwolves for quite some time, first joining the coaching staff in 1995 and serving as an assistant under Flip Saunders through […]

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders wants his team to avoid shooting long twos, and the new man in charge of Minnesota used an interesting tactic in a recent practice to promote this new strategy. In a recent scrimmage, Ryan Saunders told his players that long twos were worth negative points so that they wouldn’t shoot […]

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders will have around 100 friends and family at the Target Center on Friday when he makes his home coaching debut against the Dallas Mavericks. The Timberwolves fired Tom Thibodeau last Sunday and named Ryan Saunders the interim head coach. Ryan is the son of the late Flip Saunders. Per […]

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose and new head coach Ryan Saunders have talked about managing the former MVP’s minutes better moving forward so Rose can be healthy and fresh for the team later in the year. Ex-coach Tom Thibodeau had a tendency to play Rose heavy minutes, and it led to a lot of […]