Nickeil Alexander-Walker inadvertently crushes silly Chris Finch narrative

Chris Finch has become an extremely controversial person among Minnesota Timberwolves fans this season. I think it's fair to point out some of his flaws, and it wouldn't be a total shocker if the Wolves part ways with him after this season. However, one narrative that doesn't hold up under scrutiny is the idea that Finch hates young players and carries grudges against specific players. 

During a recent appearance on The Old Man and The Three podcast, Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker discussed what he learned in Minnesota and mentioned Finch's role in his growth. 

"At first, I was nervous, because Chris Finch was the assistant in New Orleans, I thought he hated me," Alexander-Walker said. "Finch sat me down, and so much respect for him; he addressed that situation in New Orleans. He was like, listen, we didn't get along, called a spade a spade, you can have an opportunity here, you're gonna have to guard."

As NAW noted, the two didn't have a great history from their time in New Orleans, but to his credit, Finch addressed this and put their past behind them. Ultimately, this helped Alexander-Walker rejuvenate his career and gave the Wolves a key contributor to two conference finals teams.

The narrative of Chris Finch not being able to develop young players doesn't add up

This narrative of Finch not playing young players and holding grudges truly took off after back-to-back first-round picks, Rob Dillingham and Joan Beringer, weren't able to earn meaningful minutes. Truthfully, it's extremely hard to develop players while trying to compete at the highest level.

Plus, Finch did give Dillingham a chance, and frankly, he underwhelmed. Unfortunate situation? Sure, but the blame shouldn't fall on Finch.

Regarding Beringer, playing him on a team with Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid is clearly a tricky task. Nevertheless, given the flashes of brilliance he's shown, there's no doubt in my mind he'll play significant minutes next year. 

Finch certainly has high standards, and that's absolutely needed for a team with Minnesota's aspirations. Alexander-Walker's comments back up this idea. It was clear that to see quality minutes, he would need to buy into the defensive side of the ball, and that he did. 

With greater defensive intensity, Alexander-Walker saw his minutes increase from 13.3 minutes during his Utah Jazz tenure to 23.3 minutes in Minnesota. This was paired with him being given more playmaking and on-ball duties. Alexander-Walker finding his groove in Minnesota is of course a credit to his personal improvement, but Finch absolutely deserves some praise for bringing the best out of his game.

Timberwolves fans shouldn't be quick to forget how Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid all developed under his tutelage. Yes, Ant was always going to be great, but Finch helped him elevate, and he absolutely helped McDaniels and Reid level up as well.

Again, it's fine to have some gripes with Finch's coaching (I certainly do). Regardless, acting like he can't develop young players is plainly false, and Alexander-Walker's quote also disproves the idea that he holds grudges.