Axel’s Deep Dives: Are the Minnesota Timberwolves Taking a Leap?
Hoops writer Jeff Axel takes a look at the the hot start for the T’Wolves and what has them looking like a completely different team from last season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have started the 2023–24 NBA season very strong. They boast the best defense in the league holding opponents to 102.3ppg and are top 10 in fast break points (16ppg) average score margin (10.1ppg) total rebounds per game (55.3) blocks per game (6.1bpg) and only give up 43.5 points in the paint per game. Rudy Gobert has been great defending the paint to start the season, and Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Mike Conley and Kyle Anderson have done a great job defending the perimeter forcing tough isolations and contested shots. They also play the passing lanes well getting deflections and steals that turn into those fast break opportunities.
Anthony Edwards seems to have taken a leap in production this season averaging 28ppg 6rpg 5apg and has established himself as the number 1 option. Edwards is coming off a strong 1st round series against the Nuggets where he averaged 31ppg and a strong FIBA performance where he was the leading scorer. He’s carried that momentum into this season and looks primed to get an All-NBA spot this season. The most impressive part of Edwards early on this season is that he bought into being a 2 way player. He was already an elite finisher at the rim with either hand, a consistent mid range jumper via pull up and out of the post and an improving 3 point shot there’s another level that Edwards wants to reach. With his durability and work ethic I think the wolves can become a top 4 seed in the western conference.
Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 19ppg and 8rpg but he has to shoot better then 35% at the rim. Anthony Edwards has a knack for playing aggressive down the stretch and closing games but KAT needs to play at a higher level to get front court points in the points and his 3 point shooting will help the slashing of Jaden Mcdaniels and Anthony Edwards creating easier looks. Naz Reid has been one of the best 6th men in the league averaging 14.7ppg on 55% from the field and provides energy and consistent scoring from the post, off the dribble, and from 3 that gives a change of pace from Rudy Gobert who strictly plays in the paint.
Conclusion:
The wolves play high energy level defense and have multiple shot creators lead by Anthony Edwards with Karl-Anthony Towns as a solid 2nd option. If Jaden McDaniels can get to around 15–18ppg with his borderline all-defensive potential this Timberwolves team can finally get out of the 1st round for the first time since 2003–2004. My only concern is the limited bench production outside of Naz Reid, and point guard play if anything happens to 36 year old Mike Conley. Shake Milton is solid but this wolves team might need a slight move at the deadline to bolster depth to make a serious run in the western conference. They’ve beaten the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics early on this season and are 6–2 overall so it’s time to take the Timberwolves seriously as a team that could potentially contend in the Western Conference.
