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5 keys for the Timberwolves to clinch a top-3 playoff seed

By Adam Ziobrowski

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Andrew Wiggins #22 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 27, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Andrew Wiggins #22 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 27, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 11: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets on January 11, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 11: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets on January 11, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Improve on defense

Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. The most crucial thing the Wolves must do is improve defensively in order to contend with the top teams.

Last year, the Wolves were tied with the Kings for 18th in the league in points allowed, giving up 106.7 points per game. That came along with a -1.1 differential which certainly won’t cut it for a two or three seed in the west.

The young stars must start the season on the right foot. Karl-Anthony Towns must assert himself and become more of a defensive presence, which I’ll touch on some more shortly. Andrew Wiggins has a long way to go. He finished last season 460th out of 468 players with a -3.16 defensive plus/minus. Year two with Tom Thibodeau should surely help but it’ll take much more than just Thibodeau.

Also, the veterans will have to set a tone defensively for the young stars to match. Of course, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler will have no issue doing so. In the last article I wrote I talk about Jeff Teague and how he isn’t as bad defensively some make him out to be. His athleticism should fit well with Thibodeau’s defensive schemes. Jamal Crawford finished last year with a -3.18 DRPM; however, he knows his role on this team and defense is not it. Gorgui Dieng was among the league’s best last year in defensive plus/minus, finishing 11th with a 3.52 DRPM.

The point is that it will take a total team effort on defense to finish ahead of offenses such as Houston and Oklahoma City.

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