The Minnesota Timberwolves, who were silent last season, are now like tigers poised to make their mark. They currently sit at the top of the Western Conference with a 21-6 record, an achievement not seen since the Kevin Garnett era. Although the season is still a long journey, the team has a tacit understanding within the team, and the form is unprecedented, which makes people look forward to their future glory.
Anthony Edwards' scoring ability is off the charts, and Rudy Gobert's interior dominance is as impregnable as an iron wall, and their contribution to the Timberwolves can be said to be crucial. However, the team's head coach, Chris Fincher, stressed that it was the presence of Downs that really brought the team together. He is like an invisible bond that binds the various parts of the team together and makes the whole team form a strong whole.
"In many ways, Downs is like the glue that holds us together," Finch said. He's willing to make any sacrifice for the team, whether it's opening up space, handling the ball, or taking on defensive duties, he can do it without complaint. Even when faced with work that is not part of his traditional responsibilities, he has been patient and has shown a strong desire to attack, never letting go of the opportunity. ”
The Downs King returns.
Tall, 7 feet tall and weighing 248 pounds, Carl-Anthony Downs stands like a giant tower on a basketball court. The 2015 NBA Draft champion has had high hopes since his time with the Timberwolves and is hailed as a bright new star with superstar potential. He is averaging a whopping 23 points per game and 11 rebounds per game in his career2, and the average assists per game are also 32 times, showing all-round basketball talent. Whether it's hand-to-hand combat on the inside or long-range striking outside the three-point line, he's amazing in scoring and amazing. His performances have undoubtedly made him one of the most well-rounded centers in the league, and his future is full of possibilities and expectations.
However, Downs' career has not been smooth sailing, with a number of injuries and hardships that have prevented him from performing at his best. Last season, he missed a career-high 50 games due to injury. In his absence, the Timberwolves also had a dismal performance, barely making it through the playoffs, only to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by eventual champions the Nuggets with a score of 4-1.
At the end of the season, Downs began to train hard. He said he wouldn't give up on his dream and that he would lead the Timberwolves back to glory. "I know how strong I am and I know what I can do," he said. I'm not going to let anyone or anything stop me, I'm going to prove that I'm one of the best players in the league. ”
At the dawn of the new season, Downs is like a bird of dawn, fulfilling his promise with practical actions. He soared on the field, averaging 21 per game4 points, 95 rebounds and 2With 9 assists, the rainbow-like report card is dizzying. The return of Downs is like a spring breeze blowing through the forest, injecting new vitality and passion into the wolves.
His tacit cooperation with Gobert is like a match made in heaven, not only expanding the team's offensive space, but also making his long-range shooting like a shooting star in the night sky, more brilliant and accurate. Although he has been restrained in his three-point attempts this season, he has shot a staggering 425%, as if it were a harvest in autumn, and the number of hits was equal to previous seasons.
This is Downs, the leader of the new season, writing his own chapter with strength and talent.
According to the 2023-24 season, Towns' presence or absence has had a significant impact on the Timberwolves' performance. Here's a comparison of the team's stats when he's on the field and when he's not:
These statistics are like a mirror, unreservedly revealing that when Towns is on the court, the overall performance of the Timberwolves is like a bright star, which is obviously more dazzling. His all-around scoring talent has injected a powerful offensive force into the team, making the team's options on the offensive end more diverse. Whether it's a layup close at hand or a three-point shot from afar, he can deal with it with a calm and unhurried attitude, like an indestructible sword.
What's even more amazing is that at the critical moment of the game, Downs' mid-range jumper ability is like a bright moon in the night sky, illuminating the team's way forward. His stunt not only brought more scoring opportunities to the team, but also stabilized the morale of the army at a critical moment and led the team to victory. His presence is undoubtedly an indispensable and powerful force for the Timberwolves.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, Towns' continued efficiency is undoubtedly a blessing. If they are to sustain Edwards' excellent performance on the offensive end, Downs' nightly consistency becomes crucial. Defensively, Downs wasn't as bad as people thought. His defensive efficiency is 1064, slightly higher than Goebel's 1045, which proves that he is equally competitive on the defensive end. In fact, the addition of the French centre-forward seems to have had a positive impact on Downs, making it easier for him to interpret his opponents' attacks and adjust his defensive strategy flexibly.
On top of that, the Minnesota Timberwolves' frontcourt configuration is strong enough that it doesn't need to be overhauled. With two scorers, Gobert and Towns, the Timberwolves have a net efficiency of 87. This is enough to show their indispensability on the field. Undoubtedly, the Minnesota Timberwolves' frontcourt combination is one of the best in the NBA. Gobert's solid defense combined with Towns' sharp offense, a unique combination that is rare in the league and is key to the Timberwolves' victory.
However, with Downs' new contract coming into effect next season, his average salary will soar to about $55.7 million. This undoubtedly adds to the complexity of the question of his deal. Even if the Timberwolves choose to trade him next offseason due to salary pressure, they may struggle to get the desired return. Therefore, perhaps the smartest option for the Minnesota Timberwolves is to keep the two core players, Towns and Gobert, and build the team around them.
Timberwolves' backcourt problems.
Given that these two frontcourt cores will continue to play for the team for years to come, the Minnesota Timberwolves should focus on strengthening their backcourt. Especially given Mike Conley's age, it is especially important to enhance the depth at the back.
This season, the Timberwolves' guard line has been made up of the following players:
Compared to the Timberwolves' frontcourt, their backcourt is a little weaker. The current starting point guard is experienced veteran Mike Conley. He is a trusted playmaker and pitcher who, despite being 36 years old, still has what it takes to lead the team. However, given the high intensity of the playoffs, the demands on Conley to maintain their standards can be a challenge. At the moment, the bench behind him has not fully proven that they can play an important role in the starting break, which makes the Timberwolves' backcourt a certain concern.
Their starting point guard, Anthony Edwards, was the jewel of the 2020 NBA Draft, and was selected by the Timberwolves as the top pick. Like the rising sun, this young player shows unlimited potential and is exciting. His offensive skills are like a rainbow, whether it's a breakaway, a jumper or a three-pointer, he can show off his skill and confidence with ease. His explosiveness and impact are like a storm, making it difficult for opponents to parry. He is a strong contender for the Most Valuable Player of the season and we look forward to him making a splash in the coming competitions.
The Timberwolves' bench line consists of young players such as Shaq Milton, Nickel Alexander-Walker and Leonard Miller, who have some quality but lack experience and consistency. His performance on the field has been good and bad, and it is difficult to bring consistent contributions to the team. Such a backcourt line is obviously a weakness for the Timberwolves. If they want to do better in the playoffs, they need to strengthen the depth and quality of the backcourt and find some players who can work better with Towns and Gobert to improve the team's offensive efficiency and defensive intensity.
Considering that there are also young potential players on the roster, such as Leonard Miller, Josh Minott and Wendell Moore Jr., they may be able to meet more pressing needs with another trade without breaking the salary cap.
Timberwolves' outlook for the future.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been impressive and eye-catching lately. The team's star Downs returned to the pitch and regained his confidence, breathing new life into the team. This was affirmed by head coach Finch. Against the backdrop of the team's stellar record, rumours about a trade for Towns are gradually dissipating. However, the team should not be taken lightly and there are still many problems and challenges to face.
The weakness of the backcourt line is an urgent problem for them to solve. Starting point guard Conley is 36 years old, and the backup guard hasn't been consistent enough. They need to find players who can improve the team's offensive and defensive capabilities, so that the overall strength of the team is more balanced and strong. Only then will the Minnesota Timberwolves be able to go further in the future and achieve higher goals.
They have to take care of their health and make sure they're in shape, especially with a key player like Downs, whose consistency is decisive for the team's victory. In the playoffs, they will need to show their fearlessness and beat the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns in quick succession to fulfill their championship dreams. Autumn and Winter Check-in Challenge