Hoops Habit
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Who’s prowling and who’s panting

By James Grieco

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 19: Taj Gibson #67, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Derrick Rose #25 and head coach Tom Tibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts as Rose is called for a technical foul during the third quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 131-123. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 19: Taj Gibson #67, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Derrick Rose #25 and head coach Tom Tibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts as Rose is called for a technical foul during the third quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 131-123. 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Prowling: Josh Okogie‘s energy levels

This Timberwolves team has been one of the bottom-five defensive teams in the league since Thibodeau took over for the 2016-17 season. That hasn’t changed much this year, as the team has a defensive rating of 114.5, 22nd in the NBA.

That’s why Thibodeau’s decision to not play first round pick Josh Okogie during the team’s first two games so head-scratching. Okogie was drafted as a prototypical 3-and-D wing, and he was wasting away on the bench. Okogie finally got his opportunity in Dallas with Jimmy Butler resting, and his defense and energy made Thibodeau look foolish for not playing him earlier.

Okogie hasn’t taken one play off in the three games he’s played. He runs the floor well, fights over screens and is always sure to stay with his man. He’s already an NBA-level defender. His offense is still a work-in-progress, but he hasn’t been afraid to shoot, which is what you need to keep defenders honest.

Combine those talents with his rebounding and athleticism and you get plays like this:

and this:

He posted point differentials of +3 against the Mavs and +8 against the Pacers and has shown he is one of the few positive defenders on the team. When Okogie is on the court, the Wolves’ defensive rating is a respectable 104.7; when he isn’t out there, the team’s defensive rating falls to 116.0. It’s still very early in the season, but Okogie looks like a keeper.

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