Wolves' Chris Finch: 'This team has the makings of being a special one'

All-Star Game coach had high praise for his group after Sunday's win over Houston.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch isn’t one to sugarcoat anything.

If his team isn’t living up to the standard they’ve laid out, he’s quick to call it out. Finch has come down hard on the Timberwolves to the media, best exemplified by his scathing comments after an ugly loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 22.

That no nonsense voice in the locker room is something Finch’s players respond to. It provides insight to what is and isn’t working internally. And it provides extra credence to what he decides to share publicly about the team.

After the Timberwolves’ 111-90 victory over the Houston Rockets Sunday night, which officially meant Finch and his staff would coach the All-Star Game, he had a comment in particular that stood out.

“This team has the makings of being a special one. Not just in terms of what they’ve done so far in the season, but also who they are as people, the way that they accept coaching, the way that they bounce back when challenged or from a poor defeat and all the kind of stuff,” Finch said. “It shows the character and they’re good, they really root hard for their teammates, and they obviously root hard for the coaching staff, which is — it’s fun. It’s really a lot of fun.”

It's clear Finch has belief in this Timberwolves team, and his comments after Sunday’s game were some of the most evident examples of that. It’s also clear Finch’s players believe in him; everyone in the locker room took pride in sending their coaching staff to the All-Star Game, even giving Finch a water bottle bath after the game. Anytime players are asked about Finch’s leadership, it’s clear they value his voice in the locker room.

THAT’S OUR COACH pic.twitter.com/fUPlAf5dFv

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 5, 2024

Finch hasn't been afraid to make adjustments this season, and his players respond in kind. After Friday's loss to the Orlando Magic, the Wolves held a longer than usual film session, rewatching the entire fourth quarter. The response on Sunday was loud and clear as the Wolves made sure Houston didn't get within reach in the fourth quarter, proving they learned from the coaching staff’s dissection of their late-game mistakes.

It's that acceptance of coaching and the ability to bounce back that have shown Finch this Timberwolves team can be a special one. He certainly has belief in his team, and they have belief in him. Getting the All-Star nod, Finch said, is a reflection of that.

“It’s everybody doing their job, and I know the players were excited coming into the game to be able to give that opportunity to us, so we really appreciate that,” Finch said. “More than anything, it’s an honor for the organization to do this and represent them in the All-Star Game. I know we’re excited and looking forward to it. But like anything else, it’s just a reflection of all the work everyone’s put in.” 

Jan 31, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch directs his team as they play the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at Target Center / Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports