The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off two consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals, proof that Chris Finch has elevated the franchise to rare heights. But not everyone is convinced he’s the coach to deliver the ultimate prize. Former NBA center Olden Polynice, who spent 15 years in the league, is among the loudest skeptics.
Appearing on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast, Polynice made it clear that he doesn’t believe Finch is capable of coaching the Wolves to a championship.
“As long as Finch is the head coach, nope. I go with the universe, man. here’s certain people, certain looks, certain different combinations of things that tell you if you’re going to make it and win.”
“Finch does not look like a head coach. Just like Thibodeau…can you imagine him winning a championship? No, it ain’t happening. Finch is not a championship coach. He makes all the wrong moves at all the right times.”
Polynice’s criticism wasn’t just about appearances. He pointed to specific postseason moments where Finch’s decisions cost Minnesota in critical situations.
One of the most glaring came in Game 2 of the 2024 Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. After a successful challenge with 47 seconds left, Finch subbed out veteran point guard Mike Conley for Rudy Gobert to bolster the defense.
The move worked, as the Wolves forced a Luka Doncic miss, but Finch failed to call a timeout to bring Conley back. Instead, Anthony Edwards tried to create without his floor general and turned the ball over. Moments later, Doncic drilled a game-winning three over Gobert, sealing a 109-108 Dallas win.
A year later, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Finch again drew criticism. In Game 2, after OKC outscored Minnesota by 14 in the third quarter, Finch stubbornly stuck with an eight-man rotation.
Young players like Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark, who had shown the ability to spark comebacks and slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earlier in the season, never saw the floor. For Polynice, these moments underscored his claim that Finch “pushes the wrong buttons when it matters most.”
Interestingly, Polynice lumped Finch in with former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, another coach often criticized for short rotations and reliance on veterans. Both helped their teams reach the conference finals last season, yet Thibodeau was fired despite New York’s breakthrough.
That parallel, Polynice suggested, should remind Finch that playoff success alone does not guarantee job security.
Still, dismissing Finch entirely ignores what he has accomplished. Leading the Timberwolves to consecutive conference finals in a loaded Western Conference is no small feat. Finch has built one of the league’s toughest defenses, developed Anthony Edwards into a superstar, and created a consistent winning culture. Coaches, like players, learn from mistakes, and Finch has already shown a willingness to adapt.
Byron Scott himself disagreed with Polynice on the podcast, saying he believes the Wolves are on the verge of breaking through and winning a title. That optimism reflects the other side of the Finch debate: continuity matters, and experience in deep playoff runs can eventually pay off.
Olden Polynice may be convinced that Minnesota cannot win a championship under Finch, but the Timberwolves’ recent track record suggests otherwise. Finch has flaws, and his playoff decisions will continue to face scrutiny, but he has also guided the Wolves to heights they haven’t seen in two decades.
The 2025-26 season may ultimately decide whether Polynice’s harsh verdict holds weight, or if Finch proves he can lead Minnesota all the way.
