Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 New Year’s Resolutions for 2021

By Phil Ford

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during player introductions before the season opening game at Target Center on December 23, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Pistons 111-101. 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, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during player introductions before the season opening game at Target Center on December 23, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Pistons 111-101. 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
4 of 4
Next
Minnesota Timberwolves, D'Angelo Russell
D’Angelo Russell of the Minnesota Timberwolves attempts to defend Nicola Batum of the LA Clippers. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves New Year’s Resolution #3: Transition defense

The Minnesota Timberwolves must improve their transition defense.

In all four games so far this year, Minnesota has looked completely incapable of getting back on defense as quickly as possible to defend in transition. The Wolves rank No. 21 in the league, allowing 1.16 points per possession in the open floor. The Wolves allow opposing teams to score on 53.8 percent of transition possessions which is the eighth-worst mark across the league.

Minnesota is also No. 27 in fast break points, giving up 17 fast break points per 100 possessions. This shows a general lack of hustle as the young, athletic Wolves are the fourth-slowest defensive team in the NBA, averaging 3.8 miles per hour on the defensive end of the court.

Towns is the slowest Wolves defender at 3.53 miles per hour on average, although he does stand in the post, so this doesn’t 100 percent accurately detail his lethargy to get back into position. Rubio, Edwards, Naz Reid, and Russell round out the top-five slowest average defenders on the team, while Juancho, Culver, and Vanderbilt are the three fastest.

We all knew going into the season that defense was going to be the biggest issue for this team, and that Russell, Beasley, Edwards, and Towns were known to take defensive possessions off.

Transition defense is 90 percent hustle and determination and shows that the issue with this team on defense is more likely willingness rather than technique and skill on the defensive end.

2020 was a terrible year for almost everyone in the world and, however trivial it may seem, the Minnesota Timberwolves were no different.

The transition between 2020 and 2021 is the perfect time to look within and figure out what we all as individuals can do to become better in the new year. As a team, the Timberwolves should have three resolutions: finish shots at the rim, improve defensive rebounding, and actually hustle in transition defense.

Next. 3 realistic Wolves trades for a power forward. dark

These three simple New Year’s resolutions that the Timberwolves should implement for 2021 are small fixes but would each have a huge impact on winning and taking the next step as a franchise as a new year rolls around.

Home/Timberwolves News