Following a 2-0 start, the Timberwolves have lost four straight games and are struggling to stay competitive without star center Karl-Anthony Towns available. As Chris Hine of The Star Tribune details, head coach Ryan Saunders attempted to jump-start the club on Sunday by shaking up his starting lineup, inserting Juan Hernangomez and Ed Davis in place of Ricky Rubio and Naz Reid.
According to Hine, the plan was to help Russell establish some pick-and-roll chemistry with Davis, his former teammate in Brooklyn, and to reduce Reid’s minutes against Nikola Jokic in the hopes of avoiding foul trouble.
Jarrett Culver, playing the three instead of the four in the new-look lineup, had his best game of the young season, and Davis led the team in rebounding, but the Timberwolves still lost by 15 points and Hernangomez’s early struggles continued. Still, Saunders said after the game that he saw some positive signs from the fifth-year power forward.
“I did think he had some good defensive possessions. I thought that helped us,” Saunders said of Hernangomez. “His size and length helped us a little bit even though we got beat on the glass, I thought he was able to get his hands on a few. He had some good looks, missed a couple that he’ll usually make around the basket. So for that reason, I see progress with Juancho as well.”
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Former Real Madrid star Facundo Campazzo had looked relatively invisible in his first five NBA games, but he showed on Sunday why the Nuggets brought him over from Spain this offseason, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post. “I thought this was the best version of Facundo Campazzo that you could imagine,” head coach Michael Malone said of the 29-year-old point guard, who had 15 points and three steals in Denver’s win over Minnesota.
- Before he signed with the Nuggets as a free agent in November, Isaiah Hartenstein drew interest from the Trail Blazers, Cavaliers, Pelicans, and Wizards, league sources tell Singer in a separate Denver Post story.
- Typically a slow starter, Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has been excellent so far in 2020/21, having averaged 28.0 PPG with a .431 3PT% in six games. Jason Quick of The Athletic takes a look at what has fueled the hot start for McCollum, who said he’s motivated by wanting to secure a postseason berth without having to take part in the play-in tournament again.
Owner Glen Taylor expectation
Wolves will make the playoffs this season
Why didn’t they trade for defensive players last week? IMO, it’s one week late
I think this proves just how valuable Towns is to Minnesota. Hopefully his career isn’t ruined by persistent injuries and the T-wolves can find better frontcourt depth
More like it proves how crappy the rest of the team is. Towns healthy isn’t getting this group to 1st place…unless it’s a last place competition. That’s my opinion you can take it or leave it.
…I didn’t say it would. I was pointing out how flawed the rest of the roster was
Well you’re right so there
Wags! Good to see you on here now. I agree man, if KAT can’t stay healthy we’re not doing anything. And even with him healthy, we’ll still need better pieces than what we have now.
Need to make good trades before the season starts
Before December 22, 2020
Whoops my bad Wagner13, I thought you were my buddy. I still like the comment! Take care.
KAT is one of best bigs in the game. Minny is not built to win without him. Just have to get him back. And hope the bench learns from this. Should make them a better team when he’s back. Russell isn’t playing consistent and that hurts too. Beasley has looked good and Culver has played well. Even the rookie has looked good (Edwards). This team is built around Russell and KAT. Those two have to have big yrs. For Minny to have a big yr. Growing pains TWolves will be ok.
TWolves are like the pistons. Just direction less idiots.
They have 1 player that plays the 4 Hernagomez who is below average and they overpaid him.
They drafted Anthony Edwards first overall and keep playing him off the bench.
They have about 5 SGs (Edwards, Culver, Okogie, Beasley and Nowell)
They don’t have any good defenders outside of their SGs
They traded for Rubio as their third most expensive player straight after getting DAngelo Russell to be their franchise PG..
Just a bunch of dumb decisions and it’s going to show at the end of the season when they struggle to win 30 games.
They need to address PF, they need decide what they are re doing at SF, trade out some of your SGs, start Anthony Edwards, bring in some better defenders and probably bring in a new coach
NBA.com power ranking
28th Thunder
29th Pistons
30th Wolves
Keep Towns DLo and Edwards
Trade everyone else
Trade is the only path to meet Wolves owner expectation