Chris Finch has been excellent as the Minnesota Timberwolves head coach. He has cemented himself as the most successful postseason coach in franchise history.
The success goes beyond the numbers, especially with the players loving Finch. He has been the right coach for them because he loves having fun, but he also calls them out whenever it is needed.
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch talks with guard Nickel Alexander-Walker (9) before putting him in to ply the Charlotte Hornets in the first quarter at Target Center.
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Despite a shaky start to the 2024-25 season, the Timberwolves were looking to return to the Western Conference Finals. Finch challenged the team to prove they were worthy of that achievement.
The team did not want to be known as a fluke challenger in the 2024 WCF. When the 2025 postseason started, it was clear that the Timberwolves were ready to cement themselves as contenders with consecutive five-game series wins.
Alexander-Walker Appreciates Finch's Honest Coaching
Players like it when their coaches talk to them straight. Being a direct coach means calling things out, and Finch is that type of coach for the Timberwolves.
It has been working since he took the job in 2021, as they went from being a team in the lottery to becoming a title contender in two consecutive seasons. That is a testament to how well he has developed his system and getting the most out of his players.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker benefited from Finch's trust, which he feels is similar to Buzz Williams, Nickeil's coach at Virginia Tech. He has become a vital part of the Timberwolves rotation.
"In a way you're playing college basketball. I played for Buzz Williams. There was no hierarchy to the type of player. There was no you're my star, so I’m easy, and we’re laughing, or you're on the bench, so I’m on you," Alexander-Walker said about the similarities between his college coach and his NBA coach. "It’s very similar with Finch, he’s going to air me out, he’s going to air Ant out... Everyone gets it at some point in time."
Finch Trusts Everyone On The Timberwolves Roster
Most of the Timberwolves players feel empowered because they have Finch as their head coach. He has a solid eight-man rotation in the postseason, but everyone else on the roster feels happy to fill in whenever needed.
The Timberwolves have empowered most players because they are prepared for any situation. Finch thrives because whenever he is given a long time to prepare, the Timberwolves are difficult to beat.
When he joined the Timberwolves roster, Alexander-Walker was unproven, but Finch gave him the opportunity. He has pulled away with that chance because he has thrived in those areas. With Finch as the coach, Minnesota should always be a tough team to beat.