The NBA Coaches Association released a statement on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ hiring of Chris Finch earlier this week, expressing “a level of disappointment” in how it was handled.
The Timberwolves fired former coach Ryan Saunders on Sunday following a loss to the New York Knicks. Shortly thereafter, Finch was named his replacement. Finch was in his first season as an assistant under Nick Nurse with the Toronto Raptors.
“It’s always bittersweet when once coach is fired and another is hired,” the statement read. “But this is not about individual coaches. We would be remiss not to acknowledge a deeper concern and level of disappointment with the Minnesota head coach hiring process.”
The statement went on to say the coaches’ association will continue to work with the NBA to improve how teams go about hiring coaches.
Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas worked with Finch when Rosas was as assistant general manager with the Houston Rockets and Finch was an assistant coach there.
Finch, who is white, was selected over Timberwolves assistant David Vanterpool, who is black. Vanterpool has been a top candidate for vacancies throughout the league over the past several seasons — only to remain an assistant.
“I know there are more hurdles for minorities,” Rosas said in a statement. “I had to leap over those personally, and it’s why I put internal programs in place to help all of our staff be prepared for the next step. I know David’s day will come.”
