Timberwolves Assistant Reminds NBA Fans of 'Ted Lasso' With Creative Halftime Metaphors

“Elf on the Shelf” references during basketball games? You bet.

Halftime interviews with coaches usually follow the same template, filled with cliches about teams needing to execute better and playing more physical.

Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori is here to change that.

Nori, who has been an NBA assistant coach since 2009, has delighted fans with his unique creativity when he speaks with Bally Sports North sideline reporters ahead of the third quarter.

Nori, a Timberwolves assistant, has delighted fans with his mid-game interviews this season :: Isaiah J. Downing/USA TODAY Sports

“We’ve got to treat [Grizzlies guard Desmond] Bane like you do the ‘Elf on the Shelf’ on Christmas Morning,” Nori said during a recent game against Memphis. “You’ve got to find him.”

“Our paint defense was like 7/11—open 24 hours.”

“He makes everybody comfortable—he’s like popcorn during Saturday night movies.”

His wholesome metaphors and quotes draw parallels to Ted Lasso, Apple TV’s show about a fictional soccer coach played by Jason Sudeikis who is known to inspire his team with, well, wacky metaphors.

Everyone: "How are the Wolves so good in the 3rd?"

Micah Nori at halftime: pic.twitter.com/XakJEJdD66

— /r/Timberwolves (@r_timberwolves) December 19, 2023

Fans loved it:

Wolves have a real life Ted Lasso in their locker room 🤣 https://t.co/GCvNyn9W5p

— r/NBA (@NBA_Reddit) December 19, 2023

If Ted Lasso comes back in some form the writers should take a few notes from Micah Nori’s halftime interviews. https://t.co/Z4i3yiLlzW

— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) December 19, 2023

I wrote about some coaches on Michael Malone’s Nuggets staff at one point carpooled to the facility a few years ago. Micah Nori delivered the best anecdote of many. https://t.co/nbpsyik8Ym pic.twitter.com/ElX8cyr68I

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) December 19, 2023

I know this comparison is overdone, but we've found NBA Ted Lasso. https://t.co/7jvraThFmf

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 19, 2023

Grady/Jim talked about it last game that Micah gets phrases from his family to work into his interview as a shoutout 🥹 https://t.co/LCDVfS1CG8

— lex (@maplewedgie) December 19, 2023

Someone said Ted Lasso, and I couldn’t agree more 😂😂 https://t.co/DsekWTIdiw

— Andrew Bitrous (@andrewbitrous) December 19, 2023