Timberwolves supporters were beginning to worry after the team’s 6-6 start to the season.
For good reason, some still are. They suffered three straight losses to much lesser opponents. Both Donte DiVincenzo and Mike Conley had terrible beginnings. The defense didn’t appear like it did the season before, when Minnesota had the league’s best defense. Julius Randle also didn’t seem eager to be an aggressive scorer for his new team. Coaches, players, and supporters were all clenching their fists over turnovers and wondering why this team wasn’t performing. I’m here to inform you that the Minnesota Timberwolves have returned, and following their last two games, the rest of the NBA should be terrified.
Yes, the Timberwolves were predicted to defeat Phoenix by a larger margin and did come very near to blowing a 20-point lead in Sacramento. To understand what made those two victories unique, you must examine those games more closely. One player was able to outscore everyone and frustrate every attempt to contain him in both of those games. Devin Booker scored 44 points for the Suns, while De’Aaron Fox scored 60 points for the Kings. According to the movie, the on-ball defense was actually quite effective against Booker and Fox. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to stop a guy from having his best night. In both of those games, that is what took place.
