Kevin McHale was hard to miss. Standing 6-feet-10, he loomed over the churchgoers of St. Odilia's. It was the second time in three weeks the former Boston Celtics great could be found listening to a sermon rather than giving one.
McHale would probably tell you he's a religious man. He consistently devotes the 11 a.m. hour on Sundays to Father Rask and the church, just not during the NBA season. I would know, I am there almost weekly, too.
Whatever McHale has been saying to the man upstairs has worked. Since his decision to end hibernation from the parish, the Timberwolves have gone 4-3, a marked improvement from an 0-7 start to his second stint as coach.
It seems McHale is doing what he can to retain a job, something he didn't used to lose sleep over.
He used to hide behind closed doors orchestrating poor decision after poor decision to send a once promising franchise into a tailspin.
Owner Glen Taylor decided it was time McHale own up to his mistakes, following a 4-15 start. He named the team's former VP of basketball operations head coach.
Fix the mess you created was Taylor's proverb. Playing experience, not scouting talent, was McHale's Bible.
At first, McHale sat and watched from his chair on the bench loss after loss, making clear he had no say in the demotion. Lectures absent in spite of poor, selfish play from countless individuals.
Around Christmas, the time of giving, McHale started taking more opportunities to reconnect to his faith.
Is it the start of a turnaround that will help save the franchise from further embarrassment?
McHale is praying yes.
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