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Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Will Micah Nori Get an NBA Head Coaching Job?

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Ted Schwerzler | Last updated 5/8/24

The Minnesota Timberwolves have put together a season for the record books. While the franchise has previously played in a Western Conference Finals, that team was not as good as this squad, and the coaching staff is a big reason why they are here. Chris Finch has led his group to new heights, and Micah Nori has become a big part of that as well. He’ll be a head coach someday, but not now.

After Chris Finch went down during the round one matchup against the Phoenix Suns, it was feared that he had suffered a significant injury. A fluke collision left him with a torn patellar tendon and surgery was immediately on the table.

With a significant recovery ahead of him, and an impending series against the reigning champions, it was going to be on Micah Nori to step up. He doesn’t have the head coach title, and will someday, but not now.

From halftime to full time for Minnesota Timberwolves

If you have watched the Minnesota Timberwolves at all this season, Micah Nori is best known for his insightful comments to sideline reporters as the team emerges from the locker room. Quickly assessing what the Timberwolves are doing well, or where they need to lock in, his one-liners and overall analysis has become must-see television.

With Finch unable to operate in a normal capacity the rest of the way, Nori has taken on a much more substantial role on the sideline. He is the one standing and orchestrating things on the court while the action plays out. Still guided by Finch, and with plenty of the head coach’s influence, Nori is getting his first taste of what it feels like to be the man in charge.

Opportunity will come for Micah Nori… but not now

Talking with the SKOR North guys on Mackey & Judd earlier this week, local insider Darren Wolfson was asked about what he’s hearing regarding Micah Nori as a future head coach in the league.

“I don’t know if it will be this cycle. I’m not sure if I see the opening that makes a ton of sense. Lakers. No. Wizards, Hornets? I’m not sure I see the fit. Somewhere down the road, he’s young enough so we may be talking a year from now.

I’ll be surprised if it’s not, but maybe a year from now. Micah Nori, he’s brilliant. The way he articulates the game, anybody who has watched some of those pregame chat sessions or heard him, probably gets a sense. Those on the inside, and not just the Wolves but those in the NBA, they’ve known how brilliant he is for a long time.”
Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

Continuing to Build

How the rest of the season plays out for the Minnesota Timberwolves remains to be seen. They are in a great position with the reigning champs in an 0-2 hole, and the Target Center playing host to game three.

The hope would be that Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony Towns, and the rest of the roster can close out round two in short order as well. They’d face another tough test during the Western Conference Finals, and obviously an NBA Finals series won’t be a cakewalk either.

Even if the year doesn’t end with a win, there is a nucleus for Minnesota to make a sustained run. Keeping Micah Nori on Chris Finch’s staff for another season would be a great outcome for Edwards and his teammates. If Nori is going to get head coaching looks, but they don’t happen immediately, that certainly wouldn’t be a bad development for the franchise that currently employs him.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

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