Minnesota Sports Forum

Some encouraging news on the defensive side.

Stat-Team Ranking
Defensive Rating - 2nd
Opponent eFG% - 6th
Def Reb% - 8th
Opponent TO% - 8th
Opponent FT rate - 15th

There basically isn't a single area we were below average in defensively. That added up to the 2nd best defensive rating in the league for pre-season. Too bad it doesn't count!

I think this is a great sign because unlike shooting, defense isn't something you get hot or cold at. It is a result of sustained effort, scheme, and discipline. While I doubt we'll be top 2 in the NBA during the regular season, I do think we will dramatically improve. Good news!

As for players, we had four guys that were in the top 20 for Net Rating (team offensive rating - opponent offensive rating): Rubio, Dieng, LaVine, and Towns. To qualify, one had to play at least 4 pre-season games and 60 minutes or more of action. Wiggins qualified, but because he didn't play in the last two blowouts, he didn't benefit from those.

Other random stats:

KAT per 36 numbers:
Points - 26.4
Rebs - 14.2
Assts - 2.7
Blks - 1.1
TS% - 61.3%
BEAST!!!

Rubio + Dunn Steals per game - 4.3

Rush 3pt% - 60%

Best Net Rating - Rubio and Dieng, tied at +25.8

Worst Net Rating - Rasual Butler at - 37

Closest to Zero Net Rating - Shabazz Muhammed at +.5

Best Defensive Rating - Also Shabazz Muhammed at 79.3

Best Offensive Rating - Gorgui Dieng at 117.1

We're comin', we're comin'...

Good info. I'll add in a few other stats. First off, preseason record: 5-2. Yes, it doesn't count. But I still like my teams to win. It's attitude!

Next, Personal Efficiency Ratings (PER):

29.7 - Towns (wow!)
21.4 - Dieng (I think he's going to have a break out year)
21.4 - Bazz (he has holes in his game. But can we just appreciate he has stengths too?)
20.8 - Rubio (I think this guy is the glue for the 1st unit)
19.2 - Wiggins (Very good. Still not super star. But can go for 30 any night)
18.0 - LaVine (similar to Wiggins. Any given night could be a 30 point game)
15.4 - Bjelica (Solid. This is what we need from this guy and hopefully a little more)
13.9 - Rush (Average. Good Bench depth. He'll have hot nights like the last game)
13.2 - Jones (Average. Didn't get much run. Still don't know what we have/where he fits)
12.1 - Payne (Below average. Replaceable)
11.5 - Hill (Below average - Replaceable. Happy they signed him but I haven't seen much yet)
10.3 - Aldrich (Thought he played better. His rating might be a fluke)
7.0 - Lucas (We knew he didn't do much)
3.2 - Dunn (He was terrible for all but the last game. But he gets a pass for now as a rookie)
1.1 - Murray (he's been cut)
(2.6) - Butler (he's been cut)

Very successful preseason boys. And no injuries! (at least we don't think so)

Plus Minus Rankings

1. LaVine +84
2. Dieng +81
3 Rubio +79
4 Towns +76
5 Wiggins +39
6 Rush +31
7 Bjelica +5
8 Muhammad +3
9 Murry -3
10 Aldrich -15
11 Lucas III -17
12 Dunn, Kris -19
13 Payne -22
14 Jones, Tyus -28
15 Hill -39
16 Butler -40

I know its preseason and only seven games, but that bodes really well for Zach. Huge improvement. Would like to see better numbers from Cole given that he was a plus minus beast last year. Hopefully its just a matter of him adjusting to playing here and getting used to his teammates. He didn't shoot very well in preseason and his efficiency has normally been very good so as he plays into shape and regains his shooting stroke that should help.