The Durability Factor

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

And on a somewhat related note, this is really the first time KAT-Wig have played .500-ish ball without Jimmy Butler. The two seasons prior to his arrival, they could only muster 29 and 31 wins. I think most of that progress can be attributed to defensive strides, albeit I don't consider either a good defender yet. They are no longer atrocious though, yay!

[Monster]

And on a somewhat related note, this is really the first time KAT-Wig have played .500-ish ball without Jimmy Butler. The two seasons prior to his arrival, they could only muster 29 and 31 wins. I think most of that progress can be attributed to defensive strides, albeit I don't consider either a good defender yet. They are no longer atrocious though, yay!

It's a good point and they are also winning or staying around .500 without Covington also! Having a player like Taj makes a difference too.

Still ypu wonder if Wiggins and Towns are both doing some of the smaller things (more often at least) that matter when it comes to winning. Both guys set better screens. You see Wiggins really set up and put himself into it for those screens around the paint. I think it was the 2nd Suns game there was a play I noticed that kinda jumped out at me when I saw it. A guard drove baseline and sucked in the defense. Okogie was wide open at the top of the key for 3 because the defense all reacted to it. The pass went out to Okogie. The guy that would have closed out to Okogie Wiggins recognized it and stepped in front of him and kept him screened off so Okogie didn't even have a guy running at him. I don't remember if Okogie made the shot or not but it was a smart basketball play. I think most would agree too many times over the years Andrew has just been standing around not doing anything. That was something more. I think his activity level has been up most of this season. I wonder if there has been more intention to do some other stuff that more vet players (or really smart hard working guys like Taj) do. I'm not suggesting Wiggins is some awesome crafty vet dude but maybe he has gone from a 1 to a 3.5. Lol Something must be happening because while the Wolves have some more worthwhile depth in some spots its still a little surprising that they are holding up. For what this group is and what we expect from the Wolves in the past they are overachieving considering the circumstances. They are probably still underachieving at times based on the total talent of the roster though...depending on the health of the guys that handle the ball a lot Teague Tyus and Rose. I saw a clip of Fizdale saying that sometimes young team have to learn by losing and getting their butts kicked and then it can pay off in the end. He says often young players just don't play winning basketball. It sounds good and bad but there is probably some truth to it.

[Coolbreeze44]

I see Andrew Wiggins as a good defender because he is very good on the ball. If he ever becomes good away from the ball we will really have something. He's got the part you can't teach, now he just needs to learn the other.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I see Andrew Wiggins as a good defender because he is very good on the ball. If he ever becomes good away from the ball we will really have something. He's got the part you can't teach, now he just needs to learn the other.

You can't teach a good motor and you can't teach someone to give a shit about improving. So, on that note, obviously I'm going to disagree with your comment.

I will say that he has all the tools to be a game-wrecker defensively, but that's been the case for going on five years now. Everyone knows it but him.

[thedoper]

I see Andrew Wiggins as a good defender because he is very good on the ball. If he ever becomes good away from the ball we will really have something. He's got the part you can't teach, now he just needs to learn the other.

Yeah I've seen great strides from him defensively. If that ugly shot can start falling consistently we might have a player. The streak of more rebounding has been nice to see.