With the Memphis Grizzlies front office in turmoil

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MINNEAPOLIS -- With the Memphis Grizzlies front office in turmoil, the Minnesota Timberwolves are considering trying to lure coach Dave Joerger away to coach the team in his home state. http://www.airmaxonlinesalegr.com/air-force-1-low.html . The Timberwolves have received permission to interview Joerger for their head coaching vacancy, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The people requested anonymity because the Timberwolves are not commenting publicly on their coaching candidates. Joerger, who is from Staples, Minnesota, and went to college at Division-II Minnesota State, Moorhead, went 50-32 in his first season as Grizzlies coach last year. After a rough start while the team transitioned from coaching veteran Lionel Hollins to the first-timer Joerger, the Grizzlies pulled together, overcame several injuries to key players and surged to the seventh seed in the hyper-competitive Western Conference. But after losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Oklahoma City Thunder, owner Robert Pera made the surprising decision to overhaul the front office. He fired CEO Jason Levien and director of player personnel Stu Lash, two moves that immediately called into question Joergers job security. Joerger goes way back with Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders. As a young coach trying to make his way up the ladder, Joerger came to watch Saunders, who coached the Timberwolves from 1995-2005, run practices. The two formed a mutual respect which lasts to this day. Saunders, who coached in the CBA before breaking into the NBA, has long had an affinity for coaches who had to grind it out in the minor leagues, believing they learn not only how to coach, but to run an organization. Joerger won championships in the NBDL, the International Basketball Association and the CBA before joining the Grizzlies as an assistant to Lionel Hollins. Joergers experience as a head coach last year with the Grizzlies helps him fit the profile Saunders is looking for in a replacement for Rick Adelman, who retired last month. Saunders has said he wants a proven coach who knows the demands of running an NBA team, including handling questions from the media. The latter qualification is of particular concern for the Wolves right now with star forward Kevin Love set to opt out of his contract after next season. The Wolves are considering all their options with Love, including potentially trading him this summer. If the Wolves do not trade Love, they will head into the season with one of the major storylines in the league, one sure to draw attention from media all across the country. Thats part of the reason Saunders is reluctant to turn over the keys to a first-time head coach. The Wolves interest in Joerger was first reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. The Timberwolves opening has also been linked to Hollins and college coaching stars such as Michigan States Tom Izzo, Floridas Billy Donovan and Iowa States Fred Hoiberg. Saunders has yet to offer the job to anyone, but it is believed that the uncertainty surrounding Love has caused some of the more high profile names on Saunders list to give tepid responses to inquiries. The situation with Love in Minnesota pales in comparison to the upheaval in Memphis, and the opportunity to bring his family back to his home state could be enough to convince Joerger to make the move if an offer comes his way. The two sides were working Wednesday to set up a meeting, which could come as soon as Thursday. http://www.airmaxonlinesalegr.com/air-max-2017.html . He missed a three-game series against New York this week after suffering the injury last Sunday while trying to leg out a base hit during a game in Cincinnati. http://www.airmaxonlinesalegr.com/air-max-90-hyperfuse/air-max-90.html . There is also the Genoa derby on Sunday, while second-place Roma hosts Parma looking to take advantage of any more slip-ups from Juventus. Here are five things to know about the Italian league ahead of this weekends matches: LLORENTE ON SONGThe last time Juventus hosted Inter Milan the visitors ended the Bianconeris impressive streak of 49 games unbeaten with a 3-1 victory.CHICAGO - Al Montoyas sweet homecoming was one sour night for Jonathan Toews and Co. Montoya made 34 saves in his first win in his hometown and Andrew Ladd scored his 150th goal, leading the Winnipeg Jets to a 3-1 victory over the slumping Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. "This is very special. Ive been waiting for this one since I was a kid," said Montoya, who dropped his first two career starts at Chicago. "I cant even describe it, all my friends, all my family in the stands. Ive had some close ones, some good games in here, but this one takes it." Blake Wheeler had two third-period goals as Winnipeg (25-24-5) won for the second straight day, improving to 6-1 under new coach Paul Maurice. It also averted a season sweep by the Blackhawks, who won each of the first three games between the teams. "That win right there is just a great sign of character," Maurice said. Chicago (32-10-12) controlled the first two periods of its last home game before the Olympic break, but still went on to its third three-game slide of the season. The Stanley Cup champions open a seven-game trip Tuesday night in Calgary, and will not play again in Chicago until they take on Pittsburgh at Soldier Field on March 1. Brandon Bollig scored in the first for the Blackhawks, and Corey Crawford had 18 saves. "We just threw away another two points," Toews said. "I dont really have an explanation without seeming negative." The Blackhawks got Duncan Keith back after the defencemen missed Thursday nights 2-1 loss at Minnesota due to an illness. But coach Joel Quenneville scratched forward Bryan Bickell, who has struggled since returning from a lower-body injury. "Coachs decision. We need a lot more," Quenneville said. "Were looking for more." Chicago led 1-0 before Wheeler sent a rebound over Crawfords right glove at 8:16 of the third for his 20th goal. Marian Hossa then had a turnover deep in the Blackhawks end, and Ladd buried the open look against his former tteam for the tiebreaking goal at 12:53, drawing groans from the sellout crowd at the United Center. http://www.airmaxonlinesalegr.com/air-max-2015.html. . Wheeler added an empty-netter for his fourth goal in the last four games. "We know they have a lot of talent there and they like to control the puck," Ladd said. "But at the same time, you do get some chances against them. So we figured heading into the third with that one-goal lead we could turn it up a little bit and get some chances and get ourselves back in the game." Montoya was terrific while subbing for Ondrej Pavelec, who had started the last eight games for Winnipeg. The 28-year-old goaltender shut down the Blackhawks after an early gaffe put the Jets into a 1-0 hole. Bollig got a slick pass from Ben Smith a little more than a minute into the game and skated behind the net for a wraparound as he fell to the ice. The shot went off Montoyas stick and right pad for Bolligs sixth goal at 1:21. The Blackhawks had several opportunities to add to the lead in the first, but Montoya was there each time. They outshot the Jets 18-2 in the period. Montoya used his right pad to stop Hossa on a breakaway with 12:05 left in the first, and then stayed in after he was shaken up on the resulting collision with the streaking forward. He also made a sprawling stop on Bollig at the end of the period. It was more of the same in the second, with Montoya stopping Patrick Kane on the right side of the net. The Jets had a chance to tie it with 6 1/2 minutes left in the second, but Crawford used his right foot to kick away a shot by Bryan Little and Ladds rebound attempt went off Sheldon Brookbanks left skate. NOTES: Kane played in his 500th NHL game. ... Winnipeg scratched C James Wright, D Zach Redmond and LW Eric Tangradi. ... Jets F Michael Frolik, a key contributor on Chicagos title-winning team last season, was greeted with a round of applause when he was introduced with Winnipegs starting lineup. ... The Blackhawks have just three wins in their last 10 games. cheap jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '