Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 improvements young Wolves must make
After a disappointing 2020-21 campaign, there are high hopes for the Minnesota Timberwolves and their promising roster as we head towards 2021-22.
Last year, the Wolves were plagued with injuries that prevented them from meshing and developing chemistry. The Timberwolves are looking to have a bounce-back season and surprise everyone in the Western Conference, but in order for that to happen, some significant changes will have to occur.
To this point, the roster hasn’t changed much at all. That means that it’s on individual players to change their individual games and improve.
Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 improvements young Wolves must make
Last year, the Wolves simply could not stay afloat as a team without both of their stars.
Sure, Anthony Edwards showed that he has the ability to become a legitimate star and can be great on both sides of the ball, but the other young players on the Wolves team are what could make this franchise a winning one or a lottery team yet again.
The young role players on this Wolves team, and in particular, Jarrett Culver, Jaylen Nowell, and Jaden McDaniels, all have the ability to take this team to new heights if they step into their role further. But what changes do they need to make to their game in order to accomplish this?
No. 1 Timberwolves Improvement: Jarrett Culver improving his shooting
Jarrett Culver has had a disappointing start to his NBA career, but clearly, there is still room for improvement.
In his rookie season, Culver showed potential on the offensive side of the ball, averaging nearly double-digits in the scoring column despite rough shooting splits.
Although Culver’s efficiency declined last year and he had trouble staying on the court due to injury, it’s crucial that he improves his all-around shooting abiilty. In his rookie season, Culver showed flashes of being a perimeter threat and did ultimately shoot threes just under a 30 percent clip.
Unfortunately, Culver’s 3-point percentage took a nosedive to 24.5 percent last year. Additionally, his all-around field goal percentage to this point in his career sits at just 40.6 percent and his free throw percentage is a terrible 50.3 percent.
Clearly, the Timberwolves offense flows much better when Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell have perimeter outlets that they can kick it out to and rely on for easy buckets. This was especially clear when Malik Beasley was on the court. Beasley opened up the Wolves’ offense in a big way with his elite shooting.
While Culver won’t start for the Wolves, his defensive ability and athleticism gives him a shot at a rotation spot if he can improve his shooting numbers and offensive impact. If Culver could bring some additional offensive firepower off the bench it would help out the team in a big way.