Rick Adelman may quit as Timberwolves coach over wife’s health issues

The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently 23-43 and out of playoff contention. What started as a year filled with postseason aspirations has turned into another disappointing season, but losing basketball games has not been the most important issue in head coach Rick Adelman’s life.

Adelman’s wife, Mary Kay, continues to have health problems. She was hospitalized in January, where doctors tried to determine the cause of her seizures. Adelman missed 11 games during the month of January as a result. According to NBA.com’s Hang Time Blog, he contemplating quitting twice during the season and may resign over the summer if Mary Kay continues to struggle with her health.

“She’s just on a lot of medicine,” Adelman explained. “We’ll just have to wait and see. We go back to the doctor in April and see what they have to say. I think it’s something I’m just going to have to sit down with my wife and family and just talk about and see where we’re going with this. The most important thing is where we’re going with her health. Whatever happens will happen naturally.”

The Timberwolves still have games to play, so Adelman would not specifically say that he is considering resigning after the season ends. However, it would be tough to imagine his players not understanding that family comes first.

“It’s unfair for me to talk about that when I’m asking these guys to finish the season off and compete,” Adelman said. “And that’s all I’m trying to do now. I think there will be a right time to look at everything. I don’t want to really talk about those types of things until it’s done.”

There are more important things in life than basketball games. Adelman is one of the best coaches in the NBA, but I’m sure being away from his wife during this difficult time has been a challenge. Here’s hoping her health improves and he can return to coaching next season.