Camden wrote:Minnesota's starting unit -- D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert -- has a +17.6 net rating in the 82 minutes played together over their past five games -- 122.9 ORtg, 105.3 DRtg.
Among the five-man units that have played at least 50-minutes over their last five games, Minnesota's starters rank third in offensive rating, fifth in defensive rating, third in net rating, third in defensive rebounding percentage, and third in effective field goal percentage as well as true shooting percentage.
Patience is being rewarded. Some of you might not recognize it (yet), but this team is showing signs of figuring out who they are and playing high-level basketball after a wonky, slow start to the season.
Update:
Minnesota's starting five has a +21.7 net rating in in the 96 minutes played together over their past six games -- 125.3 ORtg, 103.6 DRtg. They're also on a four-game winning streak.
The NBA is as talented as it's ever been, and winning is more difficult than it's ever been no matter the opponent. The fact that this team is beginning to string together wins, albeit ugly at times, while also significantly improving as a starting unit can't be overlooked or dismissed. Things are objectively looking better and better with each game.
Tonight it was Jaden McDaniels coming alive and making his mark, which they'll need from time to time. It was Minnesota struggling against zone defense and just finding a way to score enough points and get enough stops. They did that. Job well done. On to the next one.
