On the Timberwolves issues: Some fixable, some not

1. Zach Lavine will become a serviceable perimeter defender

I’m here to tell you that, well, he tries! That, paired with the absolute gym rat that he is will create significant progress defensively.

As a rookie, he wasn’t a very good shooter, wouldn’t drive to the hoop with anyone in front of him, and had next to no versatility.  Two years later, he’s the Timberwolves’ best perimeter option and a true triple threat.

Do me a favor, and watch him defensively. He is still bad, but there aren’t a lot of possessions he takes off or doesn’t at least try to stick his man. The problem is, he really doesn’t seem to know how to defend.

With Thibs as his coach and his obvious teachable mentality, he will surely make marked progress in the next season or two. He’ll get stronger, understand the game better, grow in confidence, and take another jump towards stardom.

If he becomes a solid defensive guard, he is a top-five shooting guard in the NBA.