January 12, 1876. California is the birthplace of one of the most important authors in American history, Jack London. Leaving in search of gold towards the Klondike, he was so marked by the experience that he decided to set his own masterpiece in the cold region of Canada. We are not across the border, but evergreen and freezing temperatures are very similar. Resist the harsh winters of Minnesota, try to warm the hearts of the fans at the stadium, endure the pains and personal losses. The mission which Karl-Anthony Towns is invested since the choice of the 2015 Draft is among the most impervious. After years of grudges, regrets and discussions, the Dominican seems to have finally grasped the call of the forest. The tragedies that hit several of his family members during the pandemic. The accusations, made directly by a dog like Jimmy Butler, of being too soft to be the leader of a winning group. Years and years of defensive indolence and excessively wearing offensive sets, all centered around him. Talk about rebirth for i Minnesota Timberwolves and Towns sounds less rhetorical than in other cases.
Beverley-Russell-Edwards-Vanderbilt-Towns risks going down in history as one of the most efficient and, at the same time, underrated lineups. It is true that the world of Advanced Stats explains the ecosystem of basketball flooring up to a certain point, but the figures of the aforementioned quintet are devastating. Record, Defensive Rating, offensive efficiency. Practically at the top of every parameter. Chris Fynch, despite himself, has not yet been able to explore this rotation sufficiently due to injuries and Covid. But when the three young tenors are continuously joined by two clearly above average defenders like Pat Beverley and Vanderbilt, their defensive numbers wheelies. Masking, at least partially, the gaps and limitations of individuals. Clear that KAT, Ant Man and D-Lo will never be defensive specialists, but since preseason the diktat of the coaching staff sounded clear and limpid. Like the call of the forest, like the summoning of the spirit of a Minnesota land of indefatigable cold-hardened workers. If defensive talent has not been distributed to you, compensate with effort and goodwill. Because no one prevents you from lowering those legs.
Some more portraits of the 2021-22 Minnesota Timberwolves. #Twolves https://t.co/qqpx9hoN4U pic.twitter.com/azoGcwdfx1
– Carlos Gonzalez (@CarlosGphoto) October 22, 2021
The notable increase in effort The team’s star overall justifies a ranking that hadn’t seen the Minnesota Timberwolves so high since Butler’s day. Except for that year, KAT never drove the franchise to the postseason. This year, thanks to a West fluid and constantly shuffling, the goal does not seem so unattainable. Eighth place, a couple of games from the Mavericks’ provisional fifth place, tells of a more solid basketball. In any case, entrusted and based on the inspiration and individual talent of the outsiders, but who cannot move away from defensive principles different from past seasons, digested in the best way by stars and supporting actors.
The # 1 choice of the 2020 Draft Anthony Edwards he experienced an entry into the NBA that was anything but soft. The physical and athletic level was not in question. But the early days authorized us to talk about a player who was almost too “stupid” to understand the improvements to be implemented in their game. Well: after a couple of seasons of patience and, in addition to a character that seems genuinely braggart, not at all built and spontaneously braggart, he is proving to be the perfect partner for an atypical center like KAT. The danger beyond D’Angelo Russell‘s arc, destined to be associated throughout his career with the perfect asset to be included in any trade involving a superstar minimally unhappy with his situation (Ben Simmons, we’re talking about you…). Role players like PatBev, Vanderbilt, Reid and McDaniels, to serve as a succulent side dish to the main courses. After the Garnett era, Minnesota is making a comeback. The Timberwolves felt it, that call. Long last.
