3 Timberwolves who are underperforming, 3 exceeding expectations at the midseason break
By Austin McGee
Underperforming: Kyle Anderson
Although he looked better before the All-Star break, Minnesota forward Kyle Anderson had been enduring a rough season. A year ago, Anderson averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 41.0 percent from three.
This season, Anderson is down to 6.1 points, 3.5 boards, and 4.1 assists per game. Not only have his counting stats declined, but his shooting percentages have fallen off a cliff. He's shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 21.9 percent from downtown.
The UCLA product isn't known to be a 3-point marksman, yet he drilled 0.6 triples per game a season ago. This year, he's knocked down just seven of 32 attempts from deep. Luckily for the Timberwolves, Naz Reid, a 41.8 percent 3-point shooter, operates alongside Anderson in the reserve unit.
As previously mentioned, Anderson's game may be turning a corner. In February, the 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 5.4 points and 4.9 assists per contest. Perhaps most important, he's an astounding plus-22.4.
After a horrid two-month stretch where Anderson shot 08.3 percent from deep in December and recorded a negative plus-minus in January, the veteran forward seems to be finding his groove.
Time will tell if Anderson ultimately improves on what's been an abysmal season. Currently, he ranks last amongst Minnesota rotation players when it comes to net rating and plus-minus. His defense has remained stout, but his offense requires a makeover during the second half of the season.