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The Timberwolves’ Firing of Tom Thibodeau Was Long Overdue

The Tom Thibodeau era in Minnesota has reached its logical conclusion. The team fired its coach and president of basketball operations Sunday, according to multiple reports, on the same night the Wolves scored a 108–86 victory over the Lakers. The timing, like everything surrounding the organization this season, was nonsensical. The decision, however, has felt inevitable for some time now.

Thibodeau left a lot to be desired in both his roles with the Wolves. Hired for his defensive acumen, Thibodeau couldn’t recreate his magic in Minnesota. The Wolves are currently 17th in defensive efficiency, a bottom-half-of-the-league mark that would still be their best finish since Thibs took over.