Lillard upset T-Wolves passed over David Vanterpool as coach

Dec 20, 2019; Minnesota Timberwolves assistant head coach David Vanterpool in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard upset Timberwolves passed over David Vanterpool as coach

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 2/22/21

The Minnesota Timberwolves made a big head-coaching move on Sunday night, and Damian Lillard is disappointed with it.

The Timberwolves announced the firing of Ryan Saunders amid a 7-24 campaign, which is the worst record in the league. But then reports said they planned to hire Raptors assistant Chris Finch in his place.

The move is odd, as most of the time when a coach is fired, they are replaced by an interim coach already on the staff. In this case, Minnesota talked with someone outside the organization, who will be taking over midseason. It’s a highly unusual situation.

Lillard was upset that David Vanterpool wasn’t hired instead, considering he’s an assistant already on the staff.

How the hell do you not hire David Vanterpool and he’s right there on the bench… and has been in front office SUCCESSFULLY and on the front of a bench of a winning team SUCCESSFULLY (7 years) … and also has played a major role in the development of a dominant backcourt smdh!

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021

Vanterpool, 47, was an assistant with Lillard’s Blazers from 2012-2017, which explains why Dame is stumping for him.

I don’t know him to have nothin against him. Congrats to him… but I’m sorry Vanterpool is a coach that I know for sure is needed in these locker rooms. I speak the real …not favorites… respectfully https://t.co/vtvsYfK1d2

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 22, 2021