Wolves X factor

[Monster]

Who or what is your Wolves X factor for this upcoming season?

Mine is Jeff Teague. If Teague blends in and figures out his role quickly and utilizes his role which will make other players better this team could get off and running quite quickly. He is a pretty versatile offensive player and can both score and is a legit PG too. He may not put up eye popping stats but I think he could be an underrated engine that makes this team really take off offensively. He has the experience and skills to do it. If Teague is able to find his place quickly it probably helps the other guys including Wiggins find their spots offensively as well.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I am going to go with the "bench" as a single entity. I love our starting lineup, but am EXTREMELY worried about our bench being able to give extended positive minutes throughout the season. I like having Dieng and Crawford coming off the bench, but I am not confident in Tyus, Bjelica or Aldrich being able to give meaningful extended minutes when we need them. We REALLY need an additional wing or two for me to feel comfortable.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Dieng might play more minutes than Gibson, even if in the bench role.

Gibson has never averaged even 29 minutes. He was at 21 mpg in OKC.

[Coolbreeze44]

The X factor for me is the improvement in team defense. We're going to score, no problem there. But if we can get more stops, particularly at the end of games, we're going to win a lot more. The defense also needs to develop the ability to avoid extended runs by the opponent. Remember the 3rd quarters last year? In some stretches we couldn't get any stops. We must be more interruptive when other teams go on runs.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm not too worried about our bench and here is why....Most of the time a weak bench really implies a bench that can't score. For example, look at what happened to OKC whenever Westbrook sat last year. They just had a really, really tough time generating offense. I would say our bench was somewhat similar in that they played solid defense and generally held serve against opponent benches. But they just couldn't create offense at a high rate.

Now, fast forward to our current roster. We have four starters that were either a #1 or #2 option last year on offense (Teague was only behind George in PPG for Indiana last year). In my mind a team really only needs one or two shot creators on the floor at any given time, especially deep into the 1st/3rd and early 2nd/4th quarters. With four starters capable of creating their own shot, Thibs should easily find a way to keep two of those guys on the floor at all times.

Here are four configurations that I think should have no problem scoring points:
1. Dieng, Bjelly, Butler, Crawford, Teague
2. KAT, Bjelly, Wiggins, Crawford, Jones
3. Dieng, Bjelly, Wiggins, Butler, Jones
4. KAT, Gibson, Undetermined Free Agent Signing, Crawford, Teague

We saw how Golden State could almost always have two of the Durant/Klay/Green/Curry group out on the floor, while still getting them all plenty of rest.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

In terms of the original question, I agree with Cool on team defense being THE #1 factor. However, if I had to pick a player, and this won't be a surprise to anyone, I would go with Wiggins.

In my mind he doesn't even need to blow up and become an all-star. What he does need to do is prove that he can be a plus level two-way player - someone that is making a positive difference on both ends of the floor on a consistent basis.

[Monster]

The X factor for me is the improvement in team defense. We're going to score, no problem there. But if we can get more stops, particularly at the end of games, we're going to win a lot more. The defense also needs to develop the ability to avoid extended runs by the opponent. Remember the 3rd quarters last year? In some stretches we couldn't get any stops. We must be more interruptive when other teams go on runs.

I won't disagree with the defense needing to improve and it being very important or being an X factor. I think it's worth mentioning when it comes to those runs and struggles that the Wolves were in terms of scoring were easily a top 10 offense the 1st 2 quarters. Then they dropped to 24th in each of the following quarters scoring over 2 points less per quarter than they did in the first half. I think scoring/getting a bucket when needed was a problem during those times also. Even having a guy like Teague or even Crawford (even with his flaws) would have helped that roster offensively. The Wolves defense allowed about the same amount of points each quarter it was the offense that dropped off quite a bit in the 2nd half overall. Getting a couple buckets during that run and not throwing the ball away because being young probably helps as well.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Towns - if he defends the rim well we are looking at a 4-5 placing. If he doesn't we are looking at 7-fighting for a spot. He doesn't have to be Gobert, but he does have to be much better on that end of the floor as the anchor.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

When I think of an X factor for the Wolves, I think of the player with the widest range of possible outcomes. It's not Wig or any of our starters...I think their floors are fairly established. And it's not Tyus either because I'm confortable he can be a reliable PG off the bench. My X factor is Belly. The Wolves didn't fall apart when Zach got hurt, but they really did when Belly went down. If he can play at the level he did in Europe (and the level he has occasionally reached with the Wolves...especially right before he got hurt), that would be vital for this team this year. I hope he is healthy to start the season and picks up where he ended last year.

[Phenom]

I expect Teague will fit in seamlessly. I'd pick Wiggins as a player. Im interested to see him play without being the necessary de facto number one option. Hopefully it's a good thing.