Minnesota Timberwolves fans have seen the progression of Jaden McDaniels throughout the current season. After struggling quite a bit to begin the year, McDaniels has really stepped it up and has been much more productive as of late. In fact, his play has been one of the reasons the Wolves' offense has found life in the last month or so.
Just how impressive has McDaniels' play been? All you need to hear are Chris Finch's words from before Minnesota's matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. The Timberwolves' coach gave some ridiculously high praise to Jaden.
When asked if the past month has been the best basketball of McDaniels' career, Finch's quick reply spoke volumes. "Absolutely," he said. "It's the most mature basketball that he's played in every facet. He's fouling less, he's composed, he's rebounding, he's making all the small plays. He's playmaking, he's taking good shots, he's not getting frustrated. When his shot doesn't go in, he's finding ways to contribute no matter what."
.@KyleTheige asked Chris Finch if this last month has been the best basketball Jaden McDaniels has played in his career.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) January 30, 2025
A resounding "absolutely" from Finch. pic.twitter.com/ybJVLwGcxv
Finch says this is "absolutely" the best basketball of McDaniels' career
When a coach is saying these types of things and going out of his way to explain each and every way one of his players is dominating, he really means what he says. To say that McDaniels is playing the most mature ball he has played of his career in every single facet is no small statement.
Jaden has largely been playing better by way of playing smarter, not harder, as the old saying goes. It is not like he has simply just started hitting shots. As Finch says, his mentality is evolving and we can see the mature decision-making on nearly every play.
Rather than hoisting up a contested three when he is passed the ball in the corner, McDaniels is judging how close his defender is and then attacking off the dribble, quickly analyzing who is open that he can make a quick pass to or looking for room to get his own shot off. His measured approach is vastly different from what we have seen from him in the past, and it has done wonders for the Timberwolves' offense.
Again, you simply do not hear coaches openly give such high praise like this very often. Finch's words say a lot about just how big Jaden McDaniels' play has been over the last month.