Minnesota Timberwolves getting all defensive about roster moves

The Minnesota Timberwolves were the NBA’s most productive offense in the 2021-22 season. But as far as their defense? Well, that is another story altogether. It wasn’t as though the team was a complete train wreck on defense. It was simply that the Timberwolves were often engaged in shooting matches, and that fast pace wears a team down pretty quickly.

But NBA teams need to play to their strength, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are no exception. In the 2021-22 season, the team put up incredible offensive numbers.  That didn’t get the team as far as they hoped last year, so this year, there is a renewed focus on defense.

While the most obvious step to improving the team’s defense occured when the team traded for Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, it was not the only reinforcement to the defensive side of the basketball court.   Still, since Gobert was acquired at a high cost, he becomes the focus of the Timberwolves’ attempt to improve defensively. How good is he?

That’s pretty impressive.

But Gobert is not the only addition to the team. Veteran Kyle Anderson is a defensive standout. He is a tweener, a power forward/ small forward who has a unique Euro-step in his approach to the basket, but a vigorous defense at the perimeter as well.

The Timberwolves are also expecting small forward Jaden McDaniels to step up this season as well. McDaniels has been a solid defender for the Timberwolves in a rotational role, and with a likely starting role coming his way this year, he is expected to lead the team’s defense anywhere away from the basket.