Minnesota Timberwolves: How Ryan Saunders should gauge success

The 2019-20 season for the Minnesota Timberwolves is about growth. What should Ryan Saunders consider success in his first full year as head coach?

The Minnesota Timberwolves are returning most of their core players, plus a few new key additions to the rotation.

The first training camp ushered in by Ryan Saunders and brand new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas set the stage for a season dedicated to metamorphosis, shedding and old playing style and culture and replacing it with a brand new one.

In an interview with ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Ryan Saunders spoke extensively about the upcoming season, expectations for players, expectations for the team, and expectations for the organization.

There was a feeling of revival. Stepping into his late father’s role for the first time in order to fully engage his position as coach, he spent the summer with the team and encouraged them to work out together.

Saunders spent considerable time with Rosas discussing the culture and the importance of fostering a winning mentality; a feat that is not achieved overnight. It is a nightly grind and commitment to the little parts of the game that make the biggest difference.

Commandeering the reigns at mid-season under the title interim is never easy. Like any new job, there is a feeling-out process. There is a carryover from the previous employee. It takes time to make it your own.

The role of an NBA head coach is all that multiplied by 10, and especially when starting mid-season, as Saunders did last year. An offseason and training camp is essential when implementing a new playing style and establishing points of emphasis.

Points of emphasis for Saunders and his coaching staff are defense, accountability, team-first basketball, pace, limited turnovers, and most importantly, camaraderie. Moreover, the point of emphasis is a winning basketball culture. Molding a new culture is difficult. It takes time and consistency.

Rarely is this type of overhaul seen completed in a year. In addition, it doesn’t always mean actual wins. A game where the Timberwolves play the “right” way and lose is still successful time spent.

In a season when wins are important but not the entire measure of success, which measures should Ryan Saunders use to gauge the success of the 2019-20 season?

The primary measure is the ascension of Karl-Anthony Towns into a real leader. There is a general sentiment of worry that Towns is Kevin Love, Part II: a stat monster that doesn’t translate into wins.

With a solid roster around him, Saunders will look to Towns for a night in night out dominance. Ryan will expect Towns to close out games and be the force that compels the roster to rally behind him.

The next measure of success is a consistent, nightly, and unilateral effort. Throughout the entirety of games, over the course of the season, and among all players a commitment to intensity is essential. The last two seasons saw several games defined by first half explosion and second half erosion, Saunders has to buck that trend this year.

The last measure of success reflects the points of emphasis. If Saunders and his coaching staff can effectively implement his desired play style by the end of the season, it is a success.

Here’s to Ryan Saunders as the captain on his maiden voyage as head coach. The ship sails in a matter of days.