NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves Name Rick Adelman as New Head Coach

"Houston, we have a coach."

Kevin Love sent this Tweet live early Monday afternoon. Although it initially appeared that the Timberwolves forward had jumped the gun with the announcement, sources later confirmed that Minnesota has, in fact, hired long-time NBA coach Rick Adelman. A contract is expected to be signed soon.

The Associated Press stated that the Timberwolves are "bringing Adelman in to try to turn around one of the NBA's most downtrodden franchises." As hard as this may be for Wolves fans to hear, no one can deny the desperate feeling surrounding the ball club after last season's 17-65 record.

Other candidates interviewed for the head coaching position included previous Minnesota forward Sam Mitchell, Don Nelson, Bernie Bickerstaff, Larry Brown, Terry Porter, and Mike Woodson.

Some would argue that former coach Kurt Rambis was given too many "second chances"—this time around, David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor set out to make a statement.

If anyone can resurrect this young mashup of athletes, it's Adelman. The 65-year-old coach tallies 20 years of NBA coaching experience and has racked up 253 more wins than the entire Timberwolves franchise. In addition, Adelman has succeeded in turning around previous teams and producing playoff contenders in his time with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and the Houston Rockets.

Adelman's overall record boasts 945 wins and 616 losses, ranking him eighth all-time in NBA coaching wins. The California native brings significant experience to the table, including four division titles, four Western Conference Finals appearances, and two NBA Finals appearances (1990 and 1992 with Portland).

Adelman not only holds 20 years of coaching experience, but he also spent time in the NBA as a player. He was drafted in 1968 by the San Diego Rockets (now located in Houston) and went on to play for the Chicago Bulls, the New Orleans Jazz, and the Kansas City/Omaha Kings before ending his career in 1975.

Despite the obstacles of last season's bleak record and the current NBA lockout, Kahn and the Timberwolves offer a promising roster to the incoming. Fans look forward to seeing No. 2 draft pick Derrick Williams in action, and many feel that Ricky Rubio's arrival to the Target Center is long overdue.

Fans also hope that Adelman's hiring will influence Love to stick around. According to sources, Adelman has a long history with the All-Star forward—Love played on the same high school team as Adelman's son. Some speculate that this connection "may have played a role in accepting a position with a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2004."

Whatever the reason behind accepting the position, the midwest franchise now holds in its hand one of the most seasoned coaches in NBA history.

Minnesota fans will now do what we do best—hope.