The Minnesota Timberwolves have hired long time Detroit Pistons physical therapist Arnie Kander as the Vice President of Sports Performance.
The Wolves made the announcement Monday. Kander comes to Minnesota after spending 23 seasons with the Pistons, where most recently he held the title of physical therapist. He started with Detroit in 1992 as the team’s first strength and conditioning coach and helped the Pistons with injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
The news has been expected for some time, but Monday’s announcement made it official.
According to the Wolves, Kander is renowned in the professional sports world for his unique methods of application. He has designed recovery and workout programs that have proven successful.
In a statement issued through the team, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports said he has the utmost respect for Kander.
“I have watched firsthand his incredible care for players. He is so unique in his innovative ways to not only treat the injuries the players encounter on a daily basis, but also in the training and injury prevention work that is something he takes ownership of on a 24/7 basis. He will be a tremendous addition to the Timberwolves organization.”
According to The Associated Press, Kander will be in charge of improving the health of the Wolves players.
He will likely be kept plenty busy in Minnesota. The Wolves have really struggled with injuries over the last few seasons. Last year alone, Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, Kevin Martin, Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng all missed significant time with injuries.
Kander got to know Wolves coach and president Flip Saunders while Saunders was the head coach of the Pistons. Saunders is currently away from the team as he battles hodgkin’s lymphoma.
