Timberwolves defense

[AbeVigodaLive]

Houston is sort of the surprise team in the West this year and their defense is a big part of it. I know Brooks is an NBA villain, but he has certainly helped Houston.

Yes, the addition of Brooks and VanVleet has really changed the character of the Rockets. I still think they end up out of the playoff picture (along with the Jazz, Spurs, Grizzlies and Trailblazers).

Yes. A couple of veterans at the right spots and right time can make a difference.

I also thought Stephen Silas was comically overwhelmed as a head NBA coach.

[Q-is-here]

Houston is sort of the surprise team in the West this year and their defense is a big part of it. I know Brooks is an NBA villain, but he has certainly helped Houston.

Yes, the addition of Brooks and VanVleet has really changed the character of the Rockets. I still think they end up out of the playoff picture (along with the Jazz, Spurs, Grizzlies and Trailblazers).

Yes. A couple of veterans at the right spots and right time can make a difference.

I also thought Stephen Silas was comically overwhelmed as a head NBA coach.

Ha, I remember watching those Wolves-Rockets games last year and how forlorn Stephen Silas looked. Just his whole demeanor had the look of defeat on it. What a difference a head coaching change and adding a couple vets did to that Rockets team.

[kekgeek]

Most games holding a team under 40% from the field.

2022-23: Bucks with 9
2023-24: Timberwolves with 9 (18 games in)

[SameOldNudityDrew]

I heard a stat earlier that our defensive rating is much better at home than on the road. It's apparently still pretty good on the road, but barely over 100 at home.

Credit to the guys for busting their asses so hard on that end that the fans can't help but cheer. Credit to the fans for cheering that defense, which is obviously motivating them more.

Something's happening to the culture on and around this team. We're just playing defense with so much pride and effort. For so many of those years, it felt like guys only really tried on offense, and often then, only when they had the ball. Now, we've got guys defending opponents like it's fucking personal, like shutting them down defensively is just as good as crossing a guy up and dunking on a defender. It's just this awesome effort. And our fans have completely changed too. For such a long time, let's admit it, ours have been among the more passive fans in the league, especially when we were on defense and any time we fell behind, the place just got quiet. Now, it feels like the fans are so much louder and actually seem to enjoy watching us get stops as much as, if not more than, watching us get buckets. It just feels like a really different mentality from both the players and fans. Love it.

[Lipoli390]

I heard a stat earlier that our defensive rating is much better at home than on the road. It's apparently still pretty good on the road, but barely over 100 at home.

Credit to the guys for busting their asses so hard on that end that the fans can't help but cheer. Credit to the fans for cheering that defense, which is obviously motivating them more.

Something's happening to the culture on and around this team. We're just playing defense with so much pride and effort. For so many of those years, it felt like guys only really tried on offense, and often then, only when they had the ball. Now, we've got guys defending opponents like it's fucking personal, like shutting them down defensively is just as good as crossing a guy up and dunking on a defender. It's just this awesome effort. And our fans have completely changed too. For such a long time, let's admit it, ours have been among the more passive fans in the league, especially when we were on defense and any time we fell behind, the place just got quiet. Now, it feels like the fans are so much louder and actually seem to enjoy watching us get stops as much as, if not more than, watching us get buckets. It just feels like a really different mentality from both the players and fans. Love it.

You’re right, Drew. There’s an entirely new feeling in the arena now that I don’t think I recall even experiencing in the KG era. Previously, you would only experience excitement in Target Center during an extended offensive run or at the end of a close game. However, great defense is something you see on every possession. So watching the Wolves play elite defense generates a consistently high level of excitement in the arena throughout the game. It’s a lot of fun.

The team has clearly developed a defensive culture. The key to defense of course is loving to defend. It’s addictive and infectious in that once you adopt a defensive mentality and put it into practice you can’t get enough of it and the attitude spreads throughout your team. Meanwhile, the fans get energized watching it.

[Monster]

I heard a stat earlier that our defensive rating is much better at home than on the road. It's apparently still pretty good on the road, but barely over 100 at home.

Credit to the guys for busting their asses so hard on that end that the fans can't help but cheer. Credit to the fans for cheering that defense, which is obviously motivating them more.

Something's happening to the culture on and around this team. We're just playing defense with so much pride and effort. For so many of those years, it felt like guys only really tried on offense, and often then, only when they had the ball. Now, we've got guys defending opponents like it's fucking personal, like shutting them down defensively is just as good as crossing a guy up and dunking on a defender. It's just this awesome effort. And our fans have completely changed too. For such a long time, let's admit it, ours have been among the more passive fans in the league, especially when we were on defense and any time we fell behind, the place just got quiet. Now, it feels like the fans are so much louder and actually seem to enjoy watching us get stops as much as, if not more than, watching us get buckets. It just feels like a really different mentality from both the players and fans. Love it.

You’re right, Drew. There’s an entirely new feeling in the arena now that I don’t think I recall even experiencing in the KG era. Previously, you would only experience excitement in Target Center during an extended offensive run or at the end of a close game. However, great defense is something you see on every possession. So watching the Wolves play elite defense generates a consistently high level of excitement in the arena throughout the game. It’s a lot of fun.

The team has clearly developed a defensive culture. The key to defense of course is loving to defend. It’s addictive and infectious in that once you adopt a defensive mentality and put it into practice you can’t get enough of it and the attitude spreads throughout your team. Meanwhile, the fans get energized watching it.

The way I see it there are 2 significant factors to this defensive culture and play we are seeing.

1. Bringing in defensive players. Adding Gobert was obviously massive but it doesn’t end there. Conley plays better D play to play game to game than Russell. NAW is a good defender and plays hard. Troy Brown Jr is solid on that end and an upgrade from Prince. I haven’t watched Shake as a defender but I think he is an upgrade from Nowell and has more size. I think other than maybe Shake every player they I can think of is either a guy that plays defense or plays hard or has potential to be a worthwhile defender. Nix plays D. In terms of the Roster Garza is a guy I don’t think of as a good defender but the guy is going to bust is ass when he is out there. The roster is full of guys that play hard and that’s led by budding superstar Anthony Edwards.

2. Coaching. This is the 2nd year in 3 years Finch and his group had found the way to play on that end that really gets the most out of the roster. They miscalculated a last year and Gobert wasn’t as good as we had hoped. This year Gobert is awesome and guys are flying all over like we saw a couple seasons ago Finch and his staff should get credit for instilling a defensive culture to this franchise. Even last year when it was a little disappointing while adding Gobert it was clearly a priority. I think ending up with Elston Turner as an assistant was fortunate for the franchise. I think beyond his work as the defacto DC his over experience in the league including head coaching experience has likely been helpful to Finch. Maybe Joseph Blair (had to look up who it was that left before they hired Turner) would have done well too idk. He ended up going to the Wizards.

[Monster]

Yes, the addition of Brooks and VanVleet has really changed the character of the Rockets. I still think they end up out of the playoff picture (along with the Jazz, Spurs, Grizzlies and Trailblazers).

Yes. A couple of veterans at the right spots and right time can make a difference.

I also thought Stephen Silas was comically overwhelmed as a head NBA coach.

Ha, I remember watching those Wolves-Rockets games last year and how forlorn Stephen Silas looked. Just his whole demeanor had the look of defeat on it. What a difference a head coaching change and adding a couple vets did to that Rockets team.

This offseason I realized just how void that roster was of vets especially at the important position of PG. I’m not gonna defend Silas too much but that roster…had to be tough to coach in terms of getting it funchingal game to game. They had lots of talent though and yeah now that they added a couple legit players including a 2-way PG who can also play off the ball in FVV plus a guy that’s had success as a coach…yeah I’m honestly not surprised they are having success. They also added some other more vet players like Jeff Green Bullock and even Aaron Holiday who is likely a big upgrade at PG from the guys that weren’t even old enough to drink at times last season.

[kekgeek]

Best defended FG% (min. 200 defended FG)

39.5 - Nickeil Alexander-Walker
40.0 - Al Horford
40.6 - Isaiah Stewart
41.2 - Shai Gilgeous Alexander
41.2 - Herb Jones
41.3 - Rudy Gobert
42.1 - Chet Holmgren
42.1 - Karl-Anthony Towns
42.2 - Jrue Holiday
42.2 - OG Anunoby

[FNG]

Best defended FG% (min. 200 defended FG)

39.5 - Nickeil Alexander-Walker
40.0 - Al Horford
40.6 - Isaiah Stewart
41.2 - Shai Gilgeous Alexander
41.2 - Herb Jones
41.3 - Rudy Gobert
42.1 - Chet Holmgren
42.1 - Karl-Anthony Towns
42.2 - Jrue Holiday
42.2 - OG Anunoby

Thanks for this, kek...how great to have three of the top 10 on-ball defenders, including #1! Some of my favorite defenders are on the list, so it definitely has credibility with me. SGA and KAT are the big surprises for me, but I'm delighted to see KAT in with such excellent company!

[Coolbreeze44]

Best defended FG% (min. 200 defended FG)

39.5 - Nickeil Alexander-Walker
40.0 - Al Horford
40.6 - Isaiah Stewart
41.2 - Shai Gilgeous Alexander
41.2 - Herb Jones
41.3 - Rudy Gobert
42.1 - Chet Holmgren
42.1 - Karl-Anthony Towns
42.2 - Jrue Holiday
42.2 - OG Anunoby

Thanks for this, kek...how great to have three of the top 10 on-ball defenders, including #1! Some of my favorite defenders are on the list, so it definitely has credibility with me. SGA and KAT are the big surprises for me, but I'm delighted to see KAT in with such excellent company!

I'm thinking Jaden doesn't have enough defended FG to qualify? He was at the top of this list last year wasn't he?