Rick Adelman has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Timberwolves and will become the team's next head coach, reports Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The Wolves fired Kurt Rambis in July, and interviewed a number of candidates. Adelman will have been considered by most to be a best fit, based on his record of winning, his up-tempo inclinations, his sanity as compared to candidates Don Nelson and Larry Brown, and his close personal relationship with fellow Oregonian Kevin Love.
Adelman was reportedly seeking a five-year deal worth $25 million. He spent the last four seasons with the Houston Rockets, where he made the playoffs twice and led the team to its only playoff series win of the Tracy McGrady-Yao Ming era. In 2010-11, the Rockets went 43-39, but missed the postseason in the deep West. Houston had the league's No. 4 offense.
Adelman counts Wolves forward Love as a family friend, as R.A.'s son played high school ball with the All-Star in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Zgoda talked to Love before the hire was confirmed, and Love said that the move "absolutely" will factor into whether he signs a contract extension.
Adelman has a career winning percentage over 60 percent, and is one of the winningest head coaches without an NBA championship. In Minnesota, they'll be glad to see improvement in lieu of parades. For now, at least.
For more on the Wolves, visit Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota.
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