The dumpster-fire Minnesota Timberwolves made a change at head coach late on Sunday night by firing Ryan Saunders and, per The Athletic’s Sham Charania reportedly hiring Toronto Raptors assistant Chris Finch.
That didn’t sit well with … Damian Lillard.
Yes, Lillard is NOT a member of the T-Wolves. But Lillard doesn’t hold back on Twitter, and he was pretty fired up about the organization not hiring assistant David Vanterpool instead. Vanterpool was an assistant with the Blazers who was close with Lillard.
So here’s a string of tweets Lillard sent after news broke that the Wolves would be hiring Finch after the Saunders firing (including one from teammate C.J. McCollum):
How the hell do you not hire David Vanterpool and he’s right there on the bench… and has been in front office SUCCESSFULLY and on the front of a bench of a winning team SUCCESSFULLY (7 years) … and also has played a major role in the development of a dominant backcourt smdh!
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021
Make it make sense. Respectfully. https://t.co/4crtNzWV0W
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 22, 2021
I don’t know him to have nothin against him. Congrats to him… but I’m sorry Vanterpool is a coach that I know for sure is needed in these locker rooms. I speak the real …not favorites… respectfully https://t.co/vtvsYfK1d2
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021
He barely been apart of the organization https://t.co/ocToza9rI9
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021
Facts. https://t.co/eUNE32Uqe3
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021
Because the defensive coach isn’t always in full control of what the team does defensively. They’re in charge of managing and coaching what the head coach wants.teams defense is not always a direct indication of the defensive coach. I’m IN the game. You watch it … respectfully https://t.co/1YDRODlLDD
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021
Also Vanterpool is a former player. Great career at st bona… NBA and overseas … https://t.co/1YDRODlLDD
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021
I don’t think the guy they hired IS NOT. I think a high quality option is there and prepared https://t.co/axMNpokVFB
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021
[jwplayer IeJhkG2a-q2aasYxh]