Is the right PG answer on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster?

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard D’Angelo Russell’s struggles have been well-documented to kick off this finally hopeful season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The missed shots, turnovers, and lethargic defense has piled up; maybe it’s time for a change. It’s unfair to place this slow start entirely on Russell. Many factors are at play.

The Wolves have the 27th defensive rebounding percentage currently. Honestly, a shameful reality when you consider the Wolves have the league-leading rebounder in Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. There hasn’t been a consistent effort from the roster as a whole when it’s time to end a defensive possession.

Consistent on-ball defense has been problematic for just about everyone besides Timberwolves’ small forward Jaden McDaniels. Russell competed on the non-glamorous end of the court a season ago. He didn’t let his physical limitations stop him as he communicated and acted as a quarterback of the defense calling things out. That hasn’t been the case this year. The effort fighting through screens has been minimal and the off-ball lapses have been inexplicable.

Everyone needs to lock in and play more physical defense on the perimeter. The Wolves don’t want to turn Jazz-lite and expect Gobert to clean up all of their mistakes.

Minnesota Timberwolves need better PG play

Admittedly, Russell has a hand in this as much as anybody, but the Wolves are shooting 32.6% on 34.2 three-point attempts per game. Russell is shooting poorly (29.9 percent/5.9 3PA) and his “sticky” playing style can stifle the offense.

Russell isn’t the quickest decision-maker in the world. He likes to hold the ball and scope things out before dribbling, passing, or shooting. That gives defenses time to recover; causing advantages created to evaporate while the Wolves now attack a set defense. Russell plays a role in their overall poor shooting but Karl-Anthony Towns is also shooting worse than expected.

KAT is shooting 36  percent on almost seven three-point attempts per game. Anthony Edwards has been streaky from downtown. Doris Burke wouldn’t let us forget how Jaden McDaniels has to find his shooting on Friday’s first-round playoff rematch.

The struggles from deep have clogged the paint as much as any off-season additions. The shooting luck has to eventually turn in their favor right? Benching Russell won’t turn this team into the 2017 Golden State Warriors in terms of shooting, but the offense could look better.