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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

By Matt Esposito

DENVER, CO - APRIL 5: Tom Thibodeau and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 5, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 5: Tom Thibodeau and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 5, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Can Towns and Wiggins improve their defense?

Last year’s postseason presented the Minnesota Timberwolves with the tough task of playing the Houston Rockets. It would be a true test for this still young squad. Unfortunately, when the results came back, it showed that their two former No. 1 picks have not lived up to their defensive potential.

This trend was seen throughout the regular season, but it was truly noticeable during the playoffs. To be clear, Wiggins and Towns were both projected to be defensive stalwarts by multiple scouts. Yet, this duo still leaves much to be desired on that end of the floor. Given that each possesses freakish physical attributes for his respective position, these lapses are incredibly frustrating.

What exactly are these two doing wrong in their defensive half? Shouldn’t they shut down pick-and-rolls on a regular basis? Some film of them defending the Rockets should enlighten us.

In the video above, Towns shows his propensity for idling during pick-and-rolls. He tends to neither commit to a switch nor hedge out. With agile feet and a wingspan of 7’3.5″ inches, KAT should be pressuring ball-handlers one way or another. He will continue his indecisiveness in the next clip.

Here, Wiggins and Towns demonstrate their lack of trust. After being ran through two screens, Wiggins must trust that Towns can switch onto his man. Secondly, Towns must trust that Wiggins can protect Clint Capela from catching a lob. Considering Wiggins can jump out of the gym, this is doable.

These two need to learn to trust each other if they want to improve defensively. Their shortcomings are no fault of their physical profiles. If the two-way Butler does not re-sign in Minnesota, Wiggins and Towns will have to pick up the slack on that end of the court.

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