We have talked exhaustively about how one of many largest strengths of the Timberwolves is depth that can permit them to supply situationally-dominant lineups whether or not they’re in want of a bucket or a defensive cease, and we’re already seeing early indicators of success in that space.
It is two video games, so clearly take all the pieces with a grain of salt, however the five-man lineup mixture that includes Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert has been machine-like.
These 5 have performed a grand whole of eight minutes collectively in two video games they usually boast an offensive ranking of 170.6 and a defensive ranking of 66.7. That is a web ranking of 103.9, which is freaking absurd. How absurd? The subsequent-best web ranking for a five-man lineup mixture that has a minimum of eight minutes collectively on the courtroom this season belongs to Orlando at 72.1.
That five-man lineup was on the courtroom for 4:15 collectively Thursday night time they usually outscored Sacramento 18-1 and held the Kings to 0-of-8 capturing within the Wolves’ two-point win.
What’s humorous and extra telling of how dominant Minnesota could be as soon as they gel the entire new items is that the third-highest web ranking for a five-man lineup combo with a minimum of eight minutes performed collectively belongs to DiVincenzo, Edwards, Alexander-Walker, Reid and Julius Randle. These 5 have a web ranking of fifty.5 in 12 minutes collectively.
Once more, it is means too quickly to return to any conclusions, however the Timberwolves are exhibiting indicators of utmost lineup flexibility and a capability to be prolific on each ends of the courtroom. Alexander-Walker’s sturdy two-game begin to the season has been a giant a part of the puzzle for Chris Finch.
Much more spectacular is that DiVincenzo hasn’t shot the ball nicely. He is 3 of 14 from 3-point vary. As soon as he will get going, these five-man lineup combos may very well be terrifying for the opposition. Granted, Randle (6 of 9), Alexander-Walker (6 of 9) and Reid (6 of 11) aren’t going to proceed capturing the lights out on 3-pointers. On the flip aspect, Edwards is just capturing 40.8% total and that quantity is undoubtedly going to rise.
The underside line right here is that Minnesota can put 4 and even 5 succesful 3-point shooters on the ground on the similar time with out experiencing main letdowns on the defensive finish. They’re extraordinarily harmful and that is just the start of what may very well be probably the most thrilling season in Timberwolves historical past.
As Edwards stated within the Netflix sequence, “buckle the (expletive) up.”