Latest news with #MicahNori
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks Interviewing Timberwolves Assistant for Vacant Coaching Job
The 2024-25 NBA season is officially over, after an early Tyrese Haliburton achilles tear in game 7 gifted the OKC Thunder a Larry O'Brien Trophy. Now, the entire league is officially in offseason mode, where the Minnesota Timberwolves have been for a few weeks already. Since the moment their season ended, speculation and uncertainty throughout the Wolves' organization. From roster questions to ownership change — Tim Connelly's expiring contract and, of course, a wild Kevin Durant goose chase, there's been a lot happening. Advertisement The New York Knicks even called trying to smuggle Chris Finch out of Minnesota, not that long ago, after they shockingly fired Tom Thibodeau — who had just led the Knickerbockers to their first East Finals since the Y2K. Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Of course, the Wolves denied New York's request to interview their head coach, but they won't be able to do the same with their top assistant, Micah Nori. If you'll remember, Nori was listed by The Athletic as a possible candidate for the Knicks' head coaching job, when it first came available. New York Knicks move from interested to interviewing Micah Nori That was before they started calling around on every big name head coach already employed around the league, a plan that did not bear any fruit. So now, the Knicks are being forced to seriously consider more realistic candidates, like Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori. Advertisement According to Shams Charania (ESPN) the New York Knicks have officially made Nori the third candidate to interview for their vacant head coaching job. The other two are veteran NBA head coach Mike Brown and former Grizzlies head coach (2019-2025), Taylor Jenkins. Micah Nori started his NBA coaching career as an assistant with the Toronto Raptors (2009-2013) before landing in Sacramento from 2013-2021. It wasn't until 2021 when Nori first linked up with Tim Connelly in Denver, before following him to Minnesota that offseason. This isn't the first time Nori has been linked to head coaching jobs around the NBA. Nori interviewed with the Cleveland Cavaliers last June. The LA Lakers also showed interest in May, 2024, before they eventually hired JJ Redick. In other words, even if it doesn't happen this time around, Nori's time as an assistant appears to be limited. Advertisement Minnesota Timberwolves offseason in flux… Naz Reid and Julius Randle have player options they're mulling. Both could very-well opt out. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is due to hit unrestricted free agency, as well. Nobody is quite sure what will happen with those three, probably because we've spent most of the last two weeks trying to figure out if the Minnesota Timberwolves roster would be blown up by a Kevin Durant trade that never materialized. Related: Local Insider Scoops Timberwolves Plan for Multiple Key Contributors This Offseason And let's also not forget that president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, still isn't under contract beyond this summer. Of course, that will likely change shortly after the team is officially sold to new majority owner Marc Lore, a process that is expected to be completed within the next week. Advertisement Now, we can officially add 'will Micah Nori be hired by the Knicks' to Minnesota's list of items currently in flux. Related Headlines
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minnesota Timberwolves Hang Onto Popular Coach
There is no denying that Chris Finch has been the best head coach in Minnesota Timberwolves franchise history. That doesn't mean he has been perfect, and there is definitely something to be desired at times. The coaching staff is not just a result of Finch though. He has some exceptional assistants, and Micah Nori may be among the best of them. He has popped up in coaching searches over the course of the last few years. Advertisement Maybe the best fit for Nori would have been the New York Knicks. He has familiarity with superstar Karl-Anthony Towns as the Timberwolves sent him there prior to last season. Thankfully that isn't coming to fruition. Related Headlines Micah Nori staying with Minnesota Timberwolves After one of the best seasons in franchise history the New York Knicks canned head coach Tom Thibodeau. They had interest in both Minnesota Timberwolves coaches Chris Finch and Micah Nori. The former was rebuffed, and the latter won't come to fruition. With the Knicks opting against hiring Nori, he will return to the Minnesota Timberwolves bench for the fifth-straight year. It will be his 17th year in the NBA as an assistant coach. He started with the Toronto Raptors in 2009. A two-year stint with Sacramento followed, and then three year stops in both Denver and Detroit came before his time with Minnesota. Advertisement Nori has grown to be something of a fan-favorite as he provides a great in-game interview. Fans have gotten to see a bit of his personality as well as his ability to break down the game. Mike Brown coached the Sacramento Kings the past two-and-a-half seasons. Sacramento sent him packing in December after a 13-18 start. He has done multiple stints as an assistant coach while having 11 years of head coaching experience under his belt. Related: Timberwolves Trade NAW; Former Players Sign Elsewhere Over the course of his career Brown has a 454-304 (.599) record and took the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. He'll look to get the Knicks their, and his, first NBA title. Advertisement Related Headlines
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA insider reveals Mike Brown's top competitor before landing Knicks job
The New York Knicks finally found their head coach, but there were some other strong candidates in the mix. Over the past few weeks, the Knicks' early offseason headlines were dominated by their strange coaching search. It was already seen as strange that the Knicks would fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the franchise to its first conference finals in 25 years. Advertisement However, it only got more complex as the Knicks' search for a new bench boss included trying to poach head coaches already employed by another team. Unsurprisingly, that strategy led the Knicks nowhere. Eventually, the Knicks went with a more traditional route and chose Mike Brown as their next coach. Brown won Coach of the Year with the Sacramento Kings in 2023 and could help take New York to the next level. While the days leading up to his hiring featured plenty of smoke about a potential deal, SNY's Ian Begley recently gave some clarity on what might have been holding up the Knicks' decision. Begley reported that while the Knicks interviewed a few candidates besides Brown, Micah Nori made the strongest impression of the runners-up. Nori has been an assistant for the Minnesota Timberwolves for the past few years and became well-known as he took over as the team's leader on the bench in the 2024 playoffs after Chris Finch suffered an injury. Advertisement Nori's thoughts on workload/player production were the leading factor in his strong impression with the Knicks, Begley wrote. While Nori's chances of getting the job were always going to be a long shot, his successful interview with the Knicks might have set him up for a different head coaching position in the near future.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Timberwolves Assistant Micah Nori Targeted For Knicks Job
Timberwolves Assistant Micah Nori Targeted For Knicks Job originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Knicks are back in their chase for Minnesota Timberwolves coaches, but this time, it is not Chris Finch. They are now set to interview assistant coach Micah Nori, who has been a well-known assistant since 2009. Advertisement However, Nori has done a great job at being the lead assistant to Finch since 2021. They have worked well and produced results, most notably being their two consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025. Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images After parting ways with Tom Thibodeau due to their loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks have been hard at work at finding his replacement. They even tried to contact Finch, Ime Udoka, and Jason Kidd to interview for the job. The teams did not grant the Knicks permission, as Udoka even signed a contract extension with the Houston Rockets. Their latest target is Nori, who has been an excellent assistant across 16 years in the NBA. Advertisement Related: The Timberwolves Firmly Commit To Head Coach Chris Finch By Denying The Knicks Nori Is An Appealing Candidate For The Knicks Whenever Finch has missed games for the Timberwolves, Nori has been the man to take charge of the team. This includes the 2024 Playoffs when Finch suffered a torn patellar tendon. Nori has become well-respected around the league due to his multiple stints with teams, including the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and the Timberwolves. He previously interviewed with the Phoenix Suns earlier in 2025, but he was not part of the finalists. Now, Nori is gunning for an even bigger job with the Knicks. Advertisement During his time with the Timberwolves, he has been featured in many tactical breakdowns and sideline interviews. He has become notorious for his unique metaphors and has been commended for communicating the Timberwolves' strategies well. That could translate well to the Knicks job, especially with his experience of coaching All-NBA big man Karl-Anthony Towns. Losing Nori Would Be A Big Blow For The Timberwolves Finch and Nori have formed a strong partnership since they joined the team in 2021. They have been the top two coaches on the team, and it is evident the players love Nori. Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards has even called him an extension of Finch when Nori had to lead practice in Finch's absence. Advertisement "He's an extended version of Finchy. They always together, they're always talking. So it's pretty much the same. Finchy still here, still talkin', regulating s**t. So it's no different," Edwards said back in May 2024. With the connection they have built through the years, it would be a shame if the Timberwolves lose Nori to the Knicks. However, the team would be pleased to see him get a head coaching job. It is not assured he will get the job though, as he has some stiff competition. He is the third coach they have interviewed, as former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and former two-time Coach of the Year winner Mike Brown are vying for the same position. Advertisement Related: Brian Windhorst Gets Honest About How Chris Finch Has Links With The Knicks This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks Were Impressed With Micah Nori During Coach Interviews
Knicks Were Impressed With Micah Nori During Coach Interviews originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves are pleased with where they are with the coaching staff. Chris Finch is cemented as the main man in Minnesota, while Micah Nori is his primary lieutenant. Advertisement However, that was almost broken up due to the New York Knicks' initial interest in Finch and then Nori interviewing for the head coach job. Unfortunately for Nori's head coaching prospects, the Knicks chose two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown to lead their franchise. Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images It would be great for Nori to make his way up the coaching ladder and land a head coach position with an NBA team, but that is not in the cards just yet. He was a fantastic candidate for the Knicks, as he is a fresh face who could surprise people. However, New York went with the established name in Mike Brown, who is an understandable choice. Now, Nori should be able to focus on the Timberwolves, but he made a name for himself by impressing the Knicks. Advertisement Related: Timberwolves Assistant Coach Micah Nori Set To Interview For Knicks Job Nori Deserves A Head Coach Job In The Future For the Timberwolves, Nori has been brilliant, as he is a beloved figure in the locker room. He is also popular amongst fans, as he often analyzes the team's tactics for the home broadcast. Nori has also become quite famous for his metaphors during his interviews, which have made him an endearing figure for the coaching staff. Finch is more known to be a straightforward coach, so Nori provides some levity while still being a brilliant basketball mind. According to sources provided to Knicks insider Ian Begley, Nori impressed the Knicks' higher-ups with his knowledge. Nori made sure to provide his insights about workload and player production during his interview, which is a big talking point about former head coach Tom Thibodeau. Advertisement With that insight, Nori showcased his knowledge about how to utilize players in his potential system. Unfortunately, that will not happen with the Knicks. However, Timberwolves fans should be pleased with Nori remaining on the sidelines for their team. The Timberwolves Will Keep Playing Good Basketball With Nori Since Nori is staying on with the Timberwolves and Finch, he will continue to provide his insights about a team that could reach the NBA Finals. They already made it to two consecutive Western Conference Finals, and with that knowledge, Finch and Nori will be well-prepared. Minnesota basketball is still growing, and Nori will have his fingerprints all over it. The players are big fans of their coaching staff, and they will continue to work well together in their quest to overthrow the Oklahoma City Thunder and potentially win a championship. Advertisement With Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and the rest of the Timberwolves roster, everyone is locked in. The coaches are also focused on the task at hand and will continue to be a top Western Conference team. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
