Minnesota Timberwolves: The evolution of D’Angelo Russell
By Luke Duffy
If you haven’t been paying attention to the suddenly competent Minnesota Timberwolves recently, what the hell are you doing? Karl-Anthony Towns is looking like the superstar we always thought he could be and Anthony Edwards continues to make strides as a menacing second or third offensive option.
Point guard Patrick Beverley went on JJ Redick’s podcast recently and proclaimed that he does not get the credit he deserves on leading groups to the postseason. On the basis of how the Timberwolves have played lately, and his limited but effective role in their system, he might be right.
Perhaps most importantly, however, has been the quiet and steady evolution of D’Angelo Russell, who looks as consistent and composed as he ever has.
The version of Russell you have in your head is likely one of two previous iterations. The first, and more popular, was the All-Star point guard with a ton of swagger who led a fun Brooklyn Nets outfit to the playoffs.
This was when expectations were low in New York, and the fans reacted to the low expectations accordingly. Russell was great there but in a kind of “not good enough or serious enough to make any real noise” kind of way.
The second version was the one that landed with the Golden State Warriors. Immediately out of place next to another world-level talent in Stephen Curry, Russell’s starpower dimmed. He was no longer the young kid playing next to Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers, or the star of the show in Brooklyn. He just… was in San Francisco, and it showed.
The start of his time in Minnesota was much the same. At this point, you could still make the case that the Warriors won that trade in getting Andrew Wiggins. He’s a better two-way player who fits into what they’re trying to do excellent. Russell joined his friend Towns and Edwards and immediately took ill-advised shots and generally forced things. Nobody looked like they were having fun.