Training day.
In the training hall of the Minnesota Timberwolves, players are conducting daily training. Under the leadership of assistant coach Eric Stokes, the players completed their physical training and began to compete within the team.
The players are in very good condition, both the main players and the substitutes are working very hard. The Timberwolves, who have won five consecutive victories, can be said to be in high morale.
And at this moment, an "uninvited guest" appeared.
The person who came was none other than Tom Thibodeau, the team's nominal head coach. The moment Thibodeau entered the arena wearing a crisp black suit, the atmosphere in the entire arena immediately became weird.
No one greeted him or looked at him. Even Zach LaVine, who had to sit off the court to rest due to injury, pretended not to see it and deliberately turned his eyes to the other side.
"Eric, what are you doing here?"
Thibodeau was a little angry about the situation at the scene. Unable to find anyone to vent to, he simply walked up to assistant coach Eric and questioned him.
Eric has always been cautious towards Thibodeau in the past, but this time it is different from before.
Eric was not angry or annoyed, but responded calmly, "Coach Thibodeau, is your vacation over?"
"What are you talking about? I'm asking you now."
Thibodeau stepped forward, looking like he was pressing forward step by step, "This is my team, what are you doing? Who asked you to direct them? Have you forgotten what your job is?"
Eric didn't give up and asked Thibodeau, "What did you say? This is your team? Who told you?"
Thibodeau was stunned for a moment.
It wasn't that he didn't know how to quarrel with Eric, but that he found that everything seemed to be out of his control.
Although he is the nominal head coach of the team, he is only appointed by the team. To truly become the head coach of a team, most of the players must express their approval.
Just like a general on the battlefield.
If the soldiers at the lower level do not recognize him, even if his general is only a general in name only! When you can't command a team, you can't do anything with only a nominal title.
Obviously, Thibodeau finds himself reaching this point.
From the time no one took the initiative to greet him since entering the arena, to now the assistant coach Eric directly talking back to him, all this indicates that his control over the team has been completely lost.
"All right!"
"Asshole...just wait for me!"
Coach Thibodeau said two harsh words, then left assistant coach Eric and walked towards the sidelines.
At this time, he already understood his position, so he planned to negotiate with Zhao Feiyang.
"Zhao."
Thibodeau stood on the sidelines and shouted to Zhao Feiyang who was holding the ball on the court.
Many players turned around when he called out, but Zhao Feiyang still acted like a normal person and only finished his attack before slowly walking towards Thibodeau.
"Coach Tom, what's wrong?"
"I want to talk to you."
Zhao Feiyang hesitated.
Seeing this, Thibodeau didn't give Zhao Feiyang any more chance to struggle, and took the initiative to shout to the players on the court.
"Everyone, pause the game and take a ten-minute break!"
All the players on the field were stunned for a moment.
However, the game continued after a while. No one stopped or ignored Thibodeau's order. Until Zhao Feiyang, who was standing next to Thibodeau, opened his mouth and gestured to everyone.
"Everyone, let's take a rest!"
As soon as these words came out, Ricky Rubio, who was dribbling the ball, threw the ball down, and other players immediately entered a relaxed state and walked off the court.
Everyone takes action.
Such a sharp contrast really made Thibodeau's face look unpleasant. Now his words no longer work, and Zhao Feiyang's words look more like those spoken by a head coach.
"Let's go!"
"Let's go over there and talk!"
Thibodeau said to Zhao Feiyang.
The two chose a corner of the court to sit down. Although Thibodeau felt a little uncomfortable, he lost his previous arrogant and indifferent attitude and became very gentle.
"Zhao, I'm sorry for what I did before. In fact, I didn't mean to target you. I just hope the team can get better! At this point, our goals are the same... You Thinking back on it, is there really any grudge between us?"
"No, right! At most, you and I just have different understandings of the game... And every head coach has his own temper, right? I know you are a good person, and you can definitely understand all of these......"
"Even if I keep sending you to play on the court, it's not because I'm targeting you. It's just my trust in the main players, and it's the same for other people... Since there is no conflict between us, let's reconcile now How about it?"
"I apologize to you. I also hope to be able to work with you in the future and respect your ideas and suggestions... How about we get back to the starting point and fight for the championship together?"
After Thibodeau finished speaking seriously, he even extended his hand to high-five Zhao Feiyang.
Unfortunately, Zhao Feiyang did not react as he expected.
"Any questions?"
Thibodeau couldn't wait to ask.
Zhao Feiyang hesitated for a while, then slowly answered, "Coach Tom, haven't you understood? It's not just a problem between us now! If it's what you said, there really is no grudge between us..." ....”
"Actually, I respect you very much. You have your abilities, your coaching experience and your style! However, your behavior of relying too much on the main players has lost the trust of all the substitute players..."
"Just think about it, if you are a substitute player, you originally hoped to play in a championship team and your career will be glorious, but a new head coach has severely reduced your playing time. Your future becomes extremely confusing, would you like such a coach?"
"You must be curious why everyone is willing to listen to what I say, right! In addition to my ability to lead the team to victory, it is mainly because I can bring more benefits to everyone. Whether it is on or off the court, at least It can allow everyone to gain more and bring more hope to their careers..."
"But you can't do it and you are unwilling to do it! Naturally, you will be abandoned by everyone... Now that we have reached this point, even if I leave the team, I am afraid you will not be recognized by everyone anymore... ..."
When Zhao Feiyang finished these words, Thibodeau stood there speechless for a long time.
In fact, he didn't understand this truth in his heart, but when Zhao Feiyang said it, he still found it difficult to accept it.
As the team's head coach, he used to not consider the living environment of marginal players at all. For him, players should move up if they can do it, and get down if they can't. Anyway, he is the head coach of the team. With absolute control and the support of the team management, no player can threaten his status.
Even Derrick Rose couldn't do this.
Rose has great skills, but his personality is a bit reserved, especially after injury. He also cannot unite all the players.
Compared to Zhao Feiyang who really gathered a group of people under his command, this was also the first time Thibodeau encountered him.
Soon, Thibodeau left the team's training facility.
Instead of going elsewhere, he contacted the team's general manager Sam Mitchell, and the two had a confidential conversation in Mitchell's conference room.
The next day, the team's top management held a meeting on the matter, and even the team owner attended the meeting.
After discussions among the senior management, they finally made an important decision.
"After careful consideration, we have decided to terminate the contract with Coach Tom Thibodeau! It is a pity that we can no longer continue to cooperate for the time being, but no matter what, the team is grateful to Coach Tom Thibodeau for his hard work during this period!"
The news was quickly announced on the Timberwolves' official website.
At the same time, outside media also reported this matter immediately. Regarding the fact that Thibodeau and the Timberwolves "parted ways", most Timberwolves fans are naturally happy.
"Coach Tom has his own way, but it doesn't seem to suit us... I hope he can find a place that suits him..."
"Thank you Coach Tom for your contribution to the team! Although I think it may only have a little value on the defensive end! But everyone else has left, so there is no need to delve deeper..."
"How long has Coach Tom been coaching the Timberwolves? Why did he leave now? I'm afraid this has set a record! But this is not necessarily a bad thing for him and the team! It is better for everyone to be separated... "
While the outside world was talking about it, the Timberwolves also made a decision internally. The team's general manager, Sam Mitchell, personally entered the gym during training and informed everyone of the new appointment of the team's assistant coach, Eric Stotts, as the interim head coach.
The players couldn't help but cheer when they heard the news.
"Coach Eric, you should be treating me tonight!"
"Yes, this is good news for us! Congratulations, Coach Eric..."
As the core of the team, Zhao Feiyang also took the initiative to congratulate Coach Eric.
"Coach Eric, it seems that we are going to fight for the championship together..."
"Of course. I can't wait..."
Thibodeau's departure and the appointment of assistant coach Eric also officially mean that the Timberwolves are about to open a new page.
However, after winning five consecutive games, they are about to face a heavy opponent.
This opponent is none other than the Golden State Warriors, which the Timberwolves have been afraid of for a long time.
After Durant joined the Warriors, the Warriors' record this season has been making great progress. Although it seems that it is not easy to achieve the almost "miraculous" 73 wins last season, their wins this season are really not. few.
Especially recently, they just won 10 consecutive victories, which can be said to be in the limelight.
