The series is back and this week the stats are coming in the flavor of Minnesota Timberwolves. With the hiring of Tom Thibodeau as head coach in the offseason, the thought was that he was right man to put the young, super-talented team over the top and have them in contention for a post-season spot. That – in short – has not happened. This season is, and should have always been, about progression and development.
Earlier in the season, there were reports of Thibs becoming impatient with the season and was looking to make a trade. Ricky Rubio has struggled, and fans began to clamor for his trade. That would have been unwise. A trade with the motive of “win-now” has derailed a many franchises a la the New Orleans Pelicans. On to the stats.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves are top ten in the league when it comes to points from the roll man in the pick and roll. Overall, they aren’t very effective in these sets, scoring less than a point per possession. Karl-Anthony Towns is an elite mid-range shooter, and an OK 3-point shooter. Additionally, he’s more than athletic enough to take his man to the hoop and throw one down. The Timberwolves should employ the pick and roll more with KAT to capitalize more on his talents. He’s currently third in the league in points scored as the roll man; that’s something Coach Thibodeau should assess going forward.
- The Wolves are 24th in the league in attempts in transition. At about 10 attempts per game, the Wolves have to find a way to get the easy scores when the defense can’t get stops. The team is bottom five in defensive efficiency and transition attempts go hand in hand with defense. Shore up the D and the transition opportunities should begin to make themselves known.
- Zach Lavine and Andrew Wiggins both sit in the top five in the league in minutes averaged per game. From his time in Chicago, Thibs was notorious for playing his players – especially his stars – heavy minutes and that’s what he’s continuing to do in Minnesota. The large minutes load isn’t translating into team success so far. So the question for the future becomes – will the load catch up to the young stars when the wins and potential become exclusive?
- KAT is fifth in the league in double-doubles with 20 double-doubles. Right now, per game, Towns is averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds. He’s still only 21 years old with so much left to add to his game. The future is bright for the young, second-year pup.
- Ricky Rubio, in the team’s last five games, is averaging almost 10 points and 9 assists per game. Rubio is also hitting the mark from deep at a 50% clip on about 3 attempts per game.
- In those games, the Wolves are 3-2 with quality wins over Atlanta and Chicago – both of those games on the road. Is it Rubio related? In wins this season, he averages 9 points and almost 9 assists. So, maybe? With only two of their next five opponents over .500, it’s important for them to play well and try to snatch a few morale-boosting wins.
- The lineup of Gorgui Dieng, Tyus Jones, Lavine, Towns, and Wiggins in 34 minutes played is one of the teams only plus lineups. It’s a little late in the season to use the “small sample size” disclaimer, but it might apply here. Jones averages less than 15 minutes a game – which is right about where he should be. Possibly, over playing the 2015 first round pick heavy minutes at this point might do more harm than good. However, in a season that should have been about development in the first place, and with lottery pick Kris Dunn underperforming, it might be best to some light tinkering with the lineups.