Where do the Minnesota Timberwolves need to improve? Well, that’s a pretty long list right now, isn’t it? For starters, the Timberwolves starting five are . . . struggling a bit. That preseason coverage of no contract extension for starting point guard seems very wise right now, as the Timberwolves need to see a lot of improvement from point guard D’Angelo Russell leading this team on the court.
But there are troubling areas of this team that are not about shooting three-pointers or even setting up their highly skilled offensive players to optimize their shots. Where the Timberwolves really seem to struggle at times is putting up an NBA defense to fit their opponent.
This is it right here. Wolves just are NOT used to being able to leave the big on his own at the rim. They have to recognize that and it could make a big difference https://t.co/FapatA0NVx
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) November 2, 2022
Has there been an improvement from the starting five? Well, not per the Timberwolves’ head coach Chris Finch.
Finch sounds pretty pessimistic
After a second consecutive loss, this time to the Phoenix Sun, Finch’s post-game comments seemed a bit pessimistic.
I asked Finch about what type of improvement he's seen from the starting unit. His answer:
— Leo S (@Y0Leo) November 2, 2022
"Well, there haven't been a whole lot growth with that unit just yet." pic.twitter.com/G9ObjTEsHg
But it’s normal for this process. Building a cohesive roster on an NBA team is very similar to building a pyramid. To build a solid pyramid, you must build a wide base and a solid foundation. Because it is the basic principle that everything else is built upon, it is a slow and tedious process.
And progress is often not easily detectable.
That is not to say that progress is not being made. It is. That is not to say that the Timberwolves get a free pass to take their good ole time. They don’t.
Ultimately, nearly every player on this Timberwolves roster must discover new lessons about themselves in ways they have not been challenged to do before. Not just in how they approach the game and can improve themselves, but how to enhance the play of their teammates around them.
Sure, that will take time. In the modern era of instant gratification, time is something that few are willing to allow this roster. But if you are one of the lucky ones who can be patient, I believe that patience will be aptly rewarded. For now, focus on one or two aspects of the Timberwolves’ performance to seek improvement. I think you will find that progress is actually being made.
We simply need to shrink the scale down to detect it.