Having traded away solid three-point shooters like Malik Beasley and Patrick Beverley in the blockbuster Rudy Gobert deal, the Timberwolves have seen their outside shooting take a step back in the early part of this season, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
In 2021/22, Minnesota ranked first in the NBA in three-point attempts per game and 12th in three-point percentage. So far in ’22/23, those marks have slipped to 12th and 24th, respectively, even after a solid showing vs. Houston on Saturday, when the team made 15-of-33 (45.5%) tries from beyond the arc.
While the personnel changes are one reason why the Wolves aren’t attempting or making as many three-pointers, several players on the roster are shooting below their previous rates, so some positive regression could be coming. Still, head coach Chris Finch said last week that he doesn’t necessarily expect this year’s team to shoot as much from outside as last year’s, stressing that good ball movement and quick decisions are more important for unlocking the offense.
“Too much thinking, I think, as a group, including myself,” D’Angelo Russell said of the offensive issues. “It’s part of the process. Everybody’s in positions that they’ve never been before.”
Here’s more on the Wolves:
- Having lost tone-setters like Beverley and Jarred Vanderbilt, the Timberwolves need to commit to playing with the edge and intensity that championship-caliber teams do on a night-to-night basis, according to Karl-Anthony Towns. “I think just more for us to have a mindset that I think when I watch those teams play, they play as if everything is Game 7 of the Finals,” Towns said, per Krawczynski. “They treat everything with that kind of level of execution and discipline and seriousness. I just think that’s something we gotta reach, and it’s not going to come overnight.”
- Jaylen Nowell, who is extension-eligible and can be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, has a new agency, though he hasn’t technically changed representatives. As Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News relays (via Twitter), Nowell’s agent Ryan Davis has moved to LIFT Sports Management, which was founded by former NBA forward Mike Miller.
- After signing a two-year extension with the Timberwolves over the summer, Taurean Prince is off to a hot start (.542/.459/.857 shooting) on the court, and his presence off the court has been just as impactful. Prince’s teammates refer to him as “the leader in the film room,” according to Chris Hine of The Star Tribune.“He’s just calling everybody out,” Nowell said. “Whoever it is, whether it’s the No. 1 guy or the No. 15 guy. He’s calling everybody out, and that’s where you get the respect from everybody.” Naz Reid also had praise for Prince: “He’s a great teammate, great vet. Nobody like him.”
- In case you missed it, center Rudy Gobert entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Saturday.
Wolves don’t understand the complexities of good team cohesiveness and strength in consistent unity and effort. They were actually building something the last year or two they just needed to add a couple tweaks to improve the defense.
Instead they blow it up for one massive gamble that wasn’t a sure thing to work out. I respect the big gamble but wow they gave up a lot of who made them what they were. And that was just on the edge of putting it together.
Agreed. Rather than “build” on what they accomplished last year, they opted to proceed like they only had one shot at upgrading the roster, and put all the chips in on Gobert.
Everybody knew Utah was gonna trade Gobert. He had interest, but not on par with what Minnesota gave up.
They created more problems with all they did to add Gobert, as opposed to the problems that adding Gobert fixed.
Meanwhile, both JV and MB have been fantastic for the Jazz so far this season. PB to the Lakers was a relief.
Taurean Prince def 1 of the most underrated guys in the league. He’d be the perfect starting 3 for Cleveland rn. I think they got Rubio for him. A rare trade that Minnesota won
The ironic thing is “playing with edge and intensity on a night to night basis” is exactly what championship teams DON’T do in the first month of the regular season. That’s what poser teams who think they’re competitors do, before they run out of steam, get hurt, and lose interest around February.
Yes agreed with the championship teams. But these up and comers can’t take the first 2 months off. They need to ramp it up immediately create that winning environment.