Timberwolves Jaden McDaniels claims he’ll make 1st team All Defense

There is a lot to like about the Minnesota Timberwolves right now. The team has been building an NBA Championship-worthy roster in a completely new way. While you may question the logic of trying such a dramatically different approach, you cannot argue that the Timberwolves have deluded themselves into playing following the leader or even Simon says.

This Minnesota Timberwolves approach is unique and untested.  Ultimately, the Timberwolves will either succeed, or the team will fail, but on their own merits.  We know that the Timberwolves can put points on the scoreboard.

But the emphasis this season is all about stopping the other team from scoring, and the message has been heard loud and clear by Minnesota Timberwolves’ young forward Jaden McDaniels. So loud and clear was the message heard that Jaden McDaniels is already shocking the NBA by setting his sights on the NBA First Team All-Defense.

But even more shocking than that? He just may do it.

Have I lost it? Not quite.

McDaniels has a shot at something very special this year

There are few who would argue that Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels is something special on defense. He is fast, smart, and can defend practically any player in the NBA. What he doesn’t defend with his velcro-like ability to stick with his player, he makes up for by relentlessly bird-dogging the basketball, and running interference in passing lanes.

McDaniels is no secret in the NBA, as he was named as the player who the Utah Jazz was very interested in during the trade that brought Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves. To keep McDaniels on the Timberwolves roster, they threw in an additional first-round pick.

It’s likely that commitment to McDaniels prompted Timberwolves HC Chris Finch to say: “Jaden McDaniels needs to improve.” After all, the Timberwolves value him more than the worth of a first-round pick.

Perhaps the move from power forward to his more natural small forward position will help his play. McDaniels is long and fast, but not particularly overly physical. Now, he will oppose players who have similar skill sets and overall size. That should help his defense quite a bit.

He is also practicing with Rudy Gobert, one of the best active NBA players on the defensive side of the basketball court. Clearly, that cannot do anything but help Mcdaniels’ performance this season.

Did Jaden McDaniels set his bar too high? Perhaps. But why not reach for the stars? You may still be able to grab the moon on your way up or back down.