When you stop to think about it, a full 82-game NBA season is incredibly long. So many developments, storylines and changes occur over the course of the regular season, and a team will sometimes look vastly different at the start of a month versus the end of it, even with no roster changes. All that to say, there has been a remarkable amount of progress for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season.
When they began the year, they were essentially a deer in the headlights. It is safe to say they were not totally prepared for the challenges that lay ahead of them, and that is not the fault of anyone in particular. It is simply the end result of making a massive trade a mere 48 hours before media day. But since that point, they have certainly come a long way.
For a large portion of the beginning of the season, the Timberwolves looked lost offensively. Nothing seemed to really make sense, and the spacing issues were compounded by guys holding the ball and/or taking too long to make decisions in key moments. In the last month, we have seen a stark reversal of that trend, and Minnesota must keep two things in mind in order to keep the ball rolling.
Gobert scoring/playmaking from middle of the floor
In Saturday's win over the Denver Nuggets, we saw a masterful performance from Rudy Gobert offensively, which has been a rarity this season to say the least. As Dane Moore pointed out on his recent appearance on Kevin O'Connor's podcast, the best counter the Timberwolves have for opponents trying to take away Anthony Edwards is Rudy Gobert.
When teams are putting two on the ball and essentially trapping Edwards up top, the best move he can make is to pass out to Gobert. Rudy is not known for having the greatest hands, but he showed just how much of a game-changer he can be on Saturday when he was operating in the middle of the floor, catching the ball, passing to cutting teammates and even putting up push shots and opening up his own scoring as well.
McDaniels making quick decisions off the catch in the corner
The progression of Jaden McDaniels this season has been fascinating to watch, and he has been another big reason for Minnesota's offensive improvement. On KOC's podcast, Moore brings up the fact that it is not necessarily McDaniels' shooting percentages that have improved, but rather his decision-making.
Rather than trying to take a contested three in the corner (which is ironically the shot he made that won the Wolves the game against the Clippers back on Jan. 6), Jaden has been making quick decisions after catching the ball in the corner, and has been much more selective about when he puts up a three-point attempt.
McDaniels has been much better about attacking off the dribble, getting in the lane to drive and kick or passing to an open Gobert in the post, among other things. These are two of the biggest developments that have led to the Timberwolves' success as of late, and they must keep playing this way if they are to continue their winning ways and get back to the top of the standings.