“Dear Diary,
When I moved into my new office after being chosen as the interim head coach of the Timberwolves, the first thing I did was clear out the desk of all the previous inhabitant’s files. But while clearing out Tom Thibodeau’s stuff, I couldn’t help but notice all the scrawled writings on the loose pieces of paper that were in there.
“I hate Europeans so god-damn much,” said one writing. “Dario Saric is a trash basketball player and a trash human being,” said another. A third one read, “Croatia is the worst country on the planet, followed closely by all other European countries.” As I pulled out more and more papers, the collection of individual anti-Saric and anti-Europe thoughts seemed to combine into a single expansive diatribe that spanned months.
Ancillary to these screeds was a spreadsheet I found on the computer that listed what was apparently every trade idea Thibodeau had ever had regarding Dario Saric. Next to the column for proposals was a column which noted whether or not the GM on the other side of the deal had ever been contacted about it, and if so, what his comments on Saric were. Some of the proposals even involved trading Saric back to Europe. I’m not a big CBA expert, but I’m pretty sure that’s not allowed. None of the proposed trades involved the Timberwolves getting any European players or prospects in return.
I’m trying not to let my opinion of Saric be affected by Thibodeau’s virulent, almost pathological, hatred towards the guy (and towards the entire European content). But it’s hard to push emotions aside when you come across a binder full of crudely edited-together pictures featuring printouts of Saric’s head cut out with a scissors and pasted onto a wide range of different animal torsos.
The plan is to have the quality of Saric’s play dictate his minutes. But, as you know, sometimes plans don’t work out as expected. When you discover what was apparently a voodoo doll created in the likeness of a certain Croatian power forward, you start wondering if sticking pins into it would actually cause pain to the intended target.
I mean, it’s not like Thibs hated him for no reason, right? There had to be a reason.
That’s all for now, Mr. Diary. Thanks for listening.
-Ryan Saunders
P.S. I wonder of Thibs kept a diary like mine?”