Minnesota Timberwolves: Zach LaVine's Time To Rise

Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves more than two years ago, Zach LaVine’s reputation has primarily focused on his athletic ability (and rightfully so). Is this the year where he changes that perception?

It’s no secret the Minnesota Timberwolves have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to their promising core of young players.

A potential oncein a generation-type talent like Karl-Anthony Towns and a potential All-Star caliber player in Andrew Wiggins carry the torch for the young Timberwolves, but their pool of up and coming pieces extends far beyond those two names.

While they don’t carry the same potential, players like Gorgui Dieng, Shabazz Muhammad and now Kris Dunn all project to be solid role players in the years to come for the Timberwolves.

Now with head coach Tom Thibodeau leading the way, the Timberwolves have struck the right balance with their mix of rising talents, no matter the differences in potential.

However, there’s one young piece for the Timberwolves that arguably stands in his own category, in terms of what he is now and what he could be in the future. That player? Zach LaVine.

Since entering the league a little more than two years ago, LaVine has been overshadowed by his young counterparts almost from the get-go.

It started with the former first overall pick in Wiggins once he was acquired by the Timberwolves as part of the Kevin Love deal. Now with Towns in the mix and standing in the brightest of spotlights, LaVine acts as the third banana, so to speak, to the team’s young, promising talents.

In the few times LaVine’s stolen the show though, it’s come at times where there’s no game actually being played (well, kind of).

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With his ridiculous athletic ability, LaVine quickly established himself in his rookie season as a one of a kind highflying dunker and has helped revive the slam dunk contest that’s part of the NBA’s All-Star weekend.

That has certainly helped raise his profile throughout the league, but it’s also taken away from his impact on the court.

Admittedly, that’s probably been to his benefit for most of his young career, but LaVine’s play at the end of last year has the signals that he’s ready to take a leap entering this season.

After the All-Star break, LaVine boosted his offensive production, scoring 16.4 points per game and shooting an effective field goal percentage of 57.3 percent, which is well above league average.

That scoring consistency ensured him a spot in the starting lineup and cemented his role playing as a 2-guard under former Wolves head coach Sam Mitchell.

Although he was just one piece in the puzzle, LaVine’s rise in efficiency was key for a Wolves offense that ranked 11th in offensive efficiency and ninth in effective field goal percentage after the midway point last season, per NBA.com/stats.

As he spoke about recently with Kurt Youngblood of The Star Tribune, finding that clarity with his role midway last season helped LaVine in more ways than how he played on the court:

"“To tell you the truth, the main thing is consistency on and off the court,” LaVine said. “And then, consistency with the coach, as well. Last year I was getting flipped back and forth from point guard to off guard, starting and not starting. Sometimes you’re unsure about certain things. It takes a toll on you sometimes. So [the move] really helped me, mentally.”"

Minnesota Timberwolves: Zach LaVine’s Time To Rise

By Jordan Treske | Oct 24, 2016

Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves more than two years ago, Zach LaVine’s reputation has primarily focused on his athletic ability (and rightfully so). Is this the year where he changes that perception?

More from Minnesota Timberwolves