A midseason check-in on the Timberwolves

The Timberwolves have exceeded expectations up to this point of the season. They are off to one of their best starts in team in history at 29-17. Here is where the Wolves stand just past the NBA’s official midway point.

What a journey it has been so far for the Timberwolves and fans. As we are just past the midway point of the season, the Wolves are already just two games away from matching last seasons win total.

Although they haven’t accomplished anything yet, just as Jimmy Butler said after Tuesday’s loss in Orlando, the Wolves should feel good about where they are at overall. On that note, it is important to point out what Butler said is true: the loss to the Magic on Tuesday was needed to humble the streaking Wolves.

The Timberwolves have rattled off three different five-game win streaks throughout the season. However, none of the streaks has reached six games. In fact, they have had such a good stretch that they caught the San Antonio Spurs for third-place in the West before dropping back to fourth with their loss to the Magic.

Weirdly enough, the Wolves’ loss to Orlando continued an odd trend of struggles against the Eastern Conference.

But beyond this strange quirk, there’s a lot to be happy about in Minnesota.

A big reason for the Wolves’ recent surge has been their much-improved defense. Another reason is that Jimmy Butler has played at a level that has elevated him into any MVP conversation.

Since Dec. 12, the Wolves have the seventh-best defensive rating in the entire league at 104.3, and their offensive rating in that same span is second in the league at 112.9 — trailing only the Golden State Warriors (113.1). Also, the Wolves overall net rating has been the best in the league during that span at 8.6.

Compare those numbers to the ones the Wolves posted before Dec. 12 and it’s easy to see why they have been much more successful and consistent.

Before Dec. 12 the Wolves had a defensive rating of 107.9, which was 26th in the league. Their offensive rating was still solid as they were fifth in the league at 108.8. However, their net rating was just 0.9, which was 12th in the league.

Their increase in defensive production has led to many more opportunities in transition. Which, more noticeably, the Wolves have greatly improved upon.

Not to mention their ball movement has been superb over the past month. More times than not, the Wolves do a great job finding the open man and have avoided forcing ill-advised shots.

Of course, there are still times when shots are put up that make you scratch your head. However, it is all about limiting those shots; you can’t blame someone who is playing well and puts up a heat check. It just depends on what situations those shots are being taken in.

Also, the Wolves are still late on defensive rotations here and there. For a contending team there are still too many uncontested shots being allowed. However, compared to where the Wolves were even just a month and a half ago it is hard to complain.

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This team is on the rise, there is no doubt about it. They still sit first in their division and trail the Spurs by just a half-game for fourth in the conference. Also, don’t look now but the Wolves trail the Houston Rockets by just three games for second place in the west.

And by the way, they meet the Rockets on Thursday night on TNT.

This is a chance for the Wolves to show the country they are for real. What better way to do so than on national TV against a team who is as explosive as the Rockets? Eyebrows were raised when the Wolves handled the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 8, although some critics were not as impressed with the Cavs struggling recently.

However, this can be the game the Wolves make the critics into believers. As long as they keep improving defensively each game such as they have been, this shouldn’t be an issue. More specifically, they need to put together a great defensive game against an offensive juggernaut like the Rockets.

Hopefully fans and media don’t forget that the Wolves are already in somewhat uncharted territory; they are already being considered as one of the best teams in franchise history.

For one, this shows how bad the Wolves have been throughout their history, considering that this team just reached the midway point in the season. With that being said, however, fans and media should open their eyes to the fact that this team is legit. That should also help people appreciate what the Wolves have done so far this season.

That goes along with exceeding some expectations already.

But at the same time, we can’t get ahead of ourselves. There is still a long way to go this season. Then consider the long run and how many more opportunities this team will have if the organization can retain them all for years to come.

Keep on enjoying the ride. Whether it lasts for five years or five more games, just enjoy it. This team is fun to watch and they are giving us all something to smile about, as well as something to hope for in the future.

Next: Karl-Anthony Towns is improving on offense, too

With the way the Wolves have played over the past month, all eyes should definitely be north.