The Minnesota Timberwolves shifted their identity to become a more 3-point-centric team this offseason. It immediately paid off in the first game of the season; they drained 21 3-pointers on 50 attempts, sparking a 131-106 win. I have absolutely no problem with this high volume of 3-pointers. In fact, I think it's a major advantage against teams with good rim protection.
Still, the best teams need balance. Part of this balance for the Wolves will be generating rim pressure, and super-sub Ayo Dosunmu will be a big part of ensuring the team generates ample rim pressure.
According to Cleaning the Glass, Minnesota ranked in the fourth percentile for rim frequency during Wednesday's game. Again, it's all gravy: they won by 25 points, Anthony Edwards was unstoppable, scoring 45 points, and LaMelo Ball was fantastic.
But if the Wolves keep shooting this many triples, they could use another element from their perimeter players, and Ayo's rim pressure provides exactly that. In a game where the Timberwolves barely got to the rim, Dosunmu broke the trend. Five of his six made field goals were in the paint, with four being at the rim. That skill set will benefit the Timberwolves on a nightly basis—there's no doubt about it.
Ayo Dosunmu's ability to get to the rim is a clear benefit for the Timberwolves
Dosunmu's ability to pressure the rim makes the Wolves' offense less predictable, and when the 3-point shots aren't falling, he'll ensure that they don't settle for outside shots.
After such a dynamic opening night performance, it's easy to overlook this possibility, but mark my words, Dosunmu's rim pressure will be valuable to the Wolves throughout the year.
Look, the Wolves have several players who can attack the rim. Edwards is an elite athlete, but it's fair to expect that he'll lean on his jump shot more, especially after what we saw on opening night. Jaden McDaniels and Jonathan Kuminga are both athletic finishers. Surely, on certain nights against teams with less rim protection, we'll see everyone else generate more rim pressure.
Nobody makes such a concentrated effort to get to the rim as Ayo, though, and he'll be their leading rim-pressure guy on most nights.
Last season, Dosunmu ranked in the 98th percentile for rim attempts per 75 possessions according to Databallr, and he ranked in the 95th percentile for rim shot creation per Basketball Index. While Dosunmu is also a high-level spot-up shooter, scoring around the rim is his best trait.
Whether it's pushing the pace in transition or driving to the rack in the half-court, Ayo is constantly getting downhill. In transition, he helps set the tone for the Wolves as a fast-paced team; we saw this last season, and this trend is primed to continue. And in the half-court, Dosunmu gives the Wolves a different element, ensuring they won't be overly reliant on outside shooting.
His ability to drive and push the pace is also contagious. As noted, the Wolves don't have a bad rim-pressure team, but Dosunmu's full-throttle style of play is different from anyone else's, and that's a good thing for this team.
Whether he's playing alongside LaMelo, who struggles around the rim, or Ant, who, of course, can get to the rim, Dosunmu's downhill driving will be a boon to the team. He can cover up for Ball's weakness, and whether Edwards is focused on shooting or driving, the backcourt combination is tantalizing. If he's without the star guards, his rim pressure can help ensure the offensive drop-off isn't significant.
Against good rim protection teams, Ayo will ensure that the Wolves are still getting some rim pressure, and against bad ones, he'll feast.
There are simply so many ways that Dosunmu's eagerness to attack the rack will help the Timberwolves.
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