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Minnesota Timberwolves Observations: Shot Selection vs Shot Value

By Adi Zhuravel

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 11: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves takes a first half jump shot while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 11, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 11: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves takes a first half jump shot while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 11, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves’ new offensive philosophy has drastically changed this team as they try to figure out which shots are good ones in their new system.

The last three games, which have included two overtime thrillers, has taught us a lot about the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves. Let’s dive in to each one and see what we can glean as we learn more and more about this team.

November 8 vs. Golden State Warriors: W 125-119 (OT)

First of all, I tip my hat to Andrew Wiggins because without him the Wolves wouldn’t have beaten the shorthanded Warriors.

Josh Okogie and Robert Covington made big contributions defensively down the stretch and had some big rebounds, but Wiggins was the only one that could score efficiently and sealed the game with a clutch three-pointer in overtime.

On the other hand, Karl-Anthony Towns looked rusty after sitting out two games seeming hesitant and indecisive. He did have five offensive rebounds that were big in deciding the outcome of this game as he scored most of his buckets on put-backs.

Defensively, it was a frustrating night for Towns.

His good friend D’Angelo Russell routinely looked to attack Towns in the pick and roll. Russell clearly watched the Brooklyn game and saw that strategy work for Kyrie Irving.

The Wolves’ drop coverage scheme had to adjust and they failed to do so until the very end of the game. Even after an adjustment, Russell was so hot that he couldn’t miss with Towns switching on him.

Luckily, Andrew Wiggins never got discouraged and continued to will his team to the end being aggressive without turning the ball over. This was probably the best game I’ve ever seen from Wiggins because even though he was hitting his jump shots, he continued relentlessly attacking the paint as if he was Giannis and he did this while playing 45 minutes.

November 10 vs. Denver Nuggets: L 98-100 (OT)

The Nuggets game was painful to watch on so many levels. Sure it was amazing to watch the Wolves come back and tie the game, but shooting so poorly from three all day and not trying anything else was a head-scratching strategy.

Overall, I like the fast-paced offense and shooting open three’s even with 18 seconds left on the shot clock, but what bothered me most was shooting three’s instead of taking the high percentage play and getting to the rim at the end of the game when you had a chance to win.

Tied at 90 with 40 seconds to go, Andrew Wiggins got switched onto Jamal Murray, who was playing with an injured foot. Instead of driving to the rim against the hobbled Murray to win the game, Wiggins rolled the dice on a three which was a poor choice and I blame the coaching staff for emphasizing that type of play. Then they ran the same play on the first possession of overtime and Wiggins easily blew by the defender for a layup.

I do believe in the system that Saunders has designed and that the three-point shot is valuable, but the shot selection at the end of the game was poor when you just needed a bucket at the rim to win the game. And even if you don’t score the layup there is a chance to get fouled and win it at the free throw line.

Let’s hope the Wolves learned something from this game.

November 11 at Detroit Pistons: W 120-114

More from Dunking with Wolves

The game against Detroit was the best-case scenario for the Wolves as no one could miss a three as Jake Layman was red hot and Gorgui Dieng was able to drive to the rim without getting called for traveling.

After a tough overtime loss, the Wolves were able to play hard on the road against a tough Pistons team that got their best player back along with a healthy Derrick Rose.

So many times we’ve seen this team run out of gas on the second night of a back-to-back, but that was not the case last night as the Wolves were able to close out a fairly comfortable win.

Andrew Wiggins again led the team in scoring while shooting 60% from the field. I think Wiggins’ resurgence could simply be a result of him entering his prime at 24 years old.

He has always shown flashy plays going back to his rookie year, but this season he’s been able to sustain that performance over extended period of time. And the five-out system that Saunders employs really plays to Wiggins’ strengths in he is taking advantage.

Now the exciting part is where does his game go from here?

I think he is in the perfect role, but the coaching staff has to add some wrinkles to take advantage.

With a breakout year from Wiggins and the rest of the Wolves getting more comfortable in the new offensive system by taking smarter shots, Minnesota could be a playoff team in the West this season.

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