How are the T-Wolves like Hanukkah? and Other Questions Answered by David Kahn

Kevin Love of the Timberwolves shoots over Josh McRoberts of the Indiana Pacers on 10/13/2010

Jewish Heritage Night at the Timberwolves is done and gone but that doesn’t mean we can’t still kick it with the uber-cool President of Basketball Operations and MOT David Kahn. Here are David’s answers to your questions, a TC Jewfolk exclusive.

On the team’s skills, growth and next steps…

Q: When are the T-Wolves going to be any good?
DK: It depends on how you define “good,” but if you meant a winning team, I think sometime in the next couple years.
Q: What happened to the transition game?
DK: We are playing at a fast  pace, albeit not running the fastbreak as often as we were earlier in the season. It’ll come as the team develops, but we are hardly a slow moving team.
Q: Why is the triangle offense so difficult to execute? Do the players make the system or the system that makes the players?
DK: First, we don’t run as much pure triangle as people think. Coach Rambis has modified it greatly. In our last two games, we’ve averaged 66 points in the first half, so I think the players are getting better at running our offense.
Q: With Rubio, Flynn and Ridnour; who will be the odd man out at the point?
DK: Maybe nobody! A lot of teams play point guards and combo guards together.
Q: Will Rick Rubio ever actually make it to Minnesota to play with the team?
DK: Yes, I expect him next season.
Q: What will be the next move to get the Timberwolves into the playoffs?
DK: Patience.

David Kahn, President of Basketball Operations for the MN Timberwolves

On the Timberwolves’s community involvement, and random Jewish things…

Q: What kinds of things are you and the team involved in in the Non-Profit community?

DK: The Timberwolves are involved in the community in a number of ways, from player-sponsored charity drives and appearances, to monthly grants for non-profit groups from the FastBreak Foundation, employee volunteer days, and our Tickets for Kids program. Our goal is to be a community partner in as many ways as possible.
Q: According to you, which is the correct way to spell that Jewish holiday we celebrate for 8 days usually in December?
DK: Hanukkah.
Q: What similarities do the Hanukkah story and a Timberwolves basketball game share?
DK: There’s a lot of oil used to clean the playing floor.

And more personally…

Q: Is basketball your favorite sport to watch on TV?
DK: That and tennis.
Q: Who is a better pick up basketball player, you or your brother Rob?
DK: All I know is, my brother has never beaten me in one-on-one.
Q: What position do you like to play on the basketball court?
DK: I’m a point guard, of course.
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to work in the NBA back office? What college major, etc.
DK: More important than anything is networking and making contacts, developing relationships.

Thanks for your questions Jewfolk! And for humoring us with your answers David.