Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Timberwolves Takeaways: Halloween trick-or-treat edition

By Reed Redmond

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the Utah Jazz on October 20, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 100-97. 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 - OCTOBER 20: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the Utah Jazz on October 20, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 100-97. 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 24: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 24, 2017 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 24: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 24, 2017 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins Combo: Trick or treat?

Treat. We’re netting even more candy than last year, both in quantity and variety.

All in all, it’s been a treat to see the progress these young players have made.

So far, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins have put up a combined average of over 40 points per game. Not only are they putting up big numbers, but they’re doing so with greater efficiency than last season. In the first six games, Towns converted a team-high 57.4 percent of his field goal attempts. Andrew Wiggins connected on 46.1 percent. Beyond that, their effective field goal percentages were even higher. Although scoring has never been an issue for either of these players, their early scoring efficiency is highly impressive.

Wiggins and KAT have also managed to boost other elements of their game. As always, Towns continues to stuff the stat sheet this season, bringing in nearly a dozen rebounds and blocking two shots per game. Wiggins has also made some strides toward developing into a more well-rounded player. He averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game through the first six games, pulling in another 7 rebounds in last night’s game. There’s still some room for improvement, but he’s working hard to show that he deserves his shiny new max contract.

As early as it is in the season, I’ll avoid getting any deeper into the statistical weeds for now. Overall, this duo seems to be finding its rhythm, smoothing out some rough edges, and learning to play effective basketball.

Wiggins and KAT are showing that they have what it takes to be members of an elite NBA ‘Big Three.’

(I’ll get to the other third in just a minute.)

Home/Timberwolves News