The Minnesota Timberwolves can learn a lot from the Warriors

Spot-Up Shooting

Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, it isn’t the 1980s and the game is moving further from the rim every day. As a team, they struggled with catch-and-shoot opportunities last season with just 1.053 points per possession (21st in the NBA). Even though they struggled as a team, there were some bright spots. In these situations, Saric scored 1.143 points per possession (75th percentile) and Covington scored 1.261 points per possession (90th percentile).

Both players saw limited minutes as Covington battled an injury and Saric didn’t break the starting lineup until late in the season. Having both of these guys healthy and in more prominent roles should help open up the offense.

Even Wiggins showed some competency shooting off the catch last season with 1.023 points per possession.

Below we see a great example of how Towns does a great job of finding him in the corner. Towns sees that the Hornets are doubling him right as he receives the ball in the post. Luckily, the double comes late and gives Towns extra time to survey the floor. Towns knows that Wiggins’s defender is the one that rotated on the double. Towns knows he just has to wait for Saric to pin down his own man which creates an open passing lane for Towns to whip a one-handed pass to the opposite corner.

Next we can see another example of Towns being patient to find the open shooter. The Kings send an early double team that quickly surrounds Towns. Towns doesn’t have an opening for a pass or shot, so instead of forcing it, he takes one simple dribble to free up some space. This gives him just enough time and space to find Covington for an open three at the top of the arc.

Trying to emulate exactly what the Warriors have done over the last few years is impossible. They have had generational talents and changed how the game is played. What can be done though, is adapting ideologies of their play style.

By facilitating out of the post, the Minnesota Timberwolves will make their offense much more versatile. It will help open up the lane for cutters and create passing lanes to find shooters. Towns has proven that he is a great offensive talent with the ability to improve his passing.

The Timberwolves will create a more diverse offense by asking Towns to post-up not to create for himself, but for his teammates.