What do these 3 KPIs have to do with the Wolves chances of winning? Everything . . .
By Bret Stuter
KPI I: Timberwolves must have active and quality ball movement
The Timberwolves did not get a lot of ball movement last season, and it showed. In the 2023 preseason, the Timberwolves had great ball movement. Will that carry over to the regular season? We can only hope so.
With a more disciplined strategy this season, the Timberwolves are rolling back their free-flow game and pivoting into a more structured style of play. That has the advantage of deliberately setting up opponents to create spacing and open shots, as well as contracts the responsibility and roles of so many versatile players.
Why do the Wolves want to pass more this season?
The lone drawback? The new strategy will force Timberwolves players to drive, shoot, or pass quickly. In the 2023 preseason, the Timberwolves excelled at great ball movement. Hopefully, assists are a statistic that the Wolves win in this one.
As long as the Timberwolves can pass the ball effectively, they force opposing teams to expend more energy. NBA players defend the guy with the basketball, so the more movement the Timberwolves can get with the basketball, the more Toronto Raptors players must do to move toward the basketball to defend effectively.
And that helps the Timberwolves over the course of a game.
Win or lose, the Minnesota Timberwolves have assembled a very competitive roster. But the proof is in the pudding. Will the Wolves win? Stay tuned . . .
Why not check out other interesting Minnesota Timberwolves articles before the game?
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