Timberwolves film room: Kyle Anderson’s sharp three-point shooting

Looking back on last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves were fortunate to have several valuable role players that did their jobs to a tee. With so many nagging injuries throughout the year, these players were crucial to helping the team stay above water and make the playoffs.

One of the most important performers on the Wolves’ roster was Kyle Anderson. Signing with Minnesota in summer 2022 as a free agent, he provided significant production in Karl-Anthony Towns’ absence. A strong all-around player, Anderson has already solidified himself as one of the best free agent signings in Timberwolves history.

Among the most valuable elements Slo-Mo brought to the court last season was three-point shooting. Outside of Mike Conley who joined the team in February, Anderson held the highest three-point percentage on the roster at 41%.

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Kyle Anderson was the best three-point shooter in Minnesota last season.

Overall, his efficient shooting from distance was a pleasant surprise for the Timberwolves. Anderson has never really been a dismal three-point shooter, but Minnesota was not anticipating him to come in and shoot anywhere close to 40%.

On a team where it became more apparent how badly production from three-point range was needed as the year went on, Kyle Anderson’s brilliance filled a major hole in the Wolves’ roster. The 2022-23 season was the third of Anderson’s career shooting above 50% from the floor.

To fans who may not have seen Slo-Mo play before last year, his shooting excellence may have come as an even bigger surprise considering his shooting form. Suffice to say, he does not possess the most aesthetically pleasing form in the league.

Anderson fools opponents with his unconventional shooting form.

The shot form Anderson employs involves a slow release, which seems counter-intuitive in a league as athletic as the NBA. But with his length, Slo-Mo makes his unique approach work. After an extended pause just before releasing his shot, Kyle’s shot comes off straight and true.

This approach runs in contrast to other great shooters like Stephen Curry, who is notorious for being able to get his shot off quickly and while heavily guarded. As Anderson was not regarded as a high-level three-point threat, opponents of the Timberwolves sought to give more attention to the likes of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter.

In the end, that freed up more space for Kyle Anderson to knock it down from beyond the arc at a high rate last season. If he can carry over some of his red-hot shooting from last year into the 2023-24 season, it will be even more proof that he is one of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ greatest free agent signings ever.