Point guard D’Angelo Russell may be having a down year shooting the ball (.383/.330/.817), but he’s proven to be an essential player for the Timberwolves, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Krawczynski argues that Russell might be the team’s most important player this season due to his unexpected two-way impact — he’s defending with gusto for the first time in his career — and the lack of other play-makers on the roster.
Krawczynski relays that the 12-15 Wolves, currently the No. 9 seed in the West, are 0-5 without Russell this season — each defeat by double figures. They are a respectable 12-10 when he plays. He writes that Russell’s willingness to shoot creates space for teammates, and his presence on defense has been a boon. Head coach Chris Finch praised Russell’s communication when playing zone defense.
“He’s smart, knows where he should be, knows where his teammates should be, so yes, for sure, he can anchor the defense with his voice,” Finch said. “Certainly gives confidence to those guys that they know what’s behind them.”
Here’s more from Minnesota:
- Second-year wing Anthony Edwards has been in a slump recently, but Finch isn’t alarmed by his drop in efficiency, per Chris Hine of the Star Tribune. “He’s just kind of overthinking things,” Finch said. “And as he works through that he’ll come out the other side better and in a better rhythm. I’ve seen it a million times with a lot of guys, and it’s just part of the process. Teams go through it, players go through it.”
- Although he was upset when it occurred, Ricky Rubio acknowledges that his trade from Minnesota to Cleveland over the summer was for the best, Hine writes in a separate article. “Things didn’t work out for a year over there (Minnesota), so I think we were looking for a change, both of us, at the end of the day,” Rubio said. “It’s something that happened in a way that I didn’t expect, but this is the business that we’re in.”
- In another piece for the Star Tribune, Hine notes that Minnesota’s starting lineup of Russell, Patrick Beverley, Edwards, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Karl-Anthony Towns has proven to be highly effective — when healthy. As Hine observes, the group has the best five-man net rating in the league at +49.6 in 127 minutes.
The Athletic clearly doing somebody in the Minnesota organization a favor with a “planted” article singing the praises of D-Lo, in hopes of getting some team to bite on a trade.
Good Luck with that!
Or maybe you can watch some hoops… it would be very easy for you to see how good D-Lo is! & apart of KAT is the only star in the team, so yes his effect in the team is very important!
Believe me, many teams would like a piece of D-Lo if they could get hold of one, no secret there!
Russell keeps being given the green light without ever really working on his game. He has never had an Ortg above his Drtg. Never a + DBPM. Middle of the road efficiency. I admit I hated the league for giving the Lakers #2 overall because Jah made no sense for the Sixers and he probably would have been pretty good on the Lakers and Sixers need that combo guard. But hes been pumped up by media for years.
I would not trade for him. I know the Wolves would like to dump him even tho he is tight with Towns.
Hope the Sixers don’t get involved in that kind of trade. Edward’s or nothing.
Edward’s, Beasley, Beverley for Simmons, Shake, Joe is the only trade I’d be interested in with the Wolves.
Yeah, El Don, you’re right.
What the hell would I know about nba basketball.
Everybody wants D-Lo!
;)
I admire your honesty, it takes courage to admit when you are wrong, good on ya!
Yep, Don… it’s literally impossible for me to speak or see it from your perspective – and vice versa.
All I can do is guess ;)
All in fun!
Anthony Edwards is an obvious star player in the NBA right now.
You’re two and a half games back from fifth seed. Edwards is going to the all-star game. D’Angelo I hope could get it again but it gets really close. To a fan who doesn’t watch their games, though, and it seems KAT always gets in and also wants that ring. If they get three all-stars I think it would be dope! Otherwise, it’s props to the players from other teams because there are only so many slots to fill
KAT/Edwards/Russell, just think about it though for Wolves without regard to the ASG
the year Russell went to the ASG from the Nets he was on fire. But with Edwards you have to think he is fire and going to light it up first this time. to me it seems like they are pretty crazy from someone who never had much interest in the Wolves before. I watch highlights and replays sometimes
Edwards is FIRE!
So the Wolves have the highest-performing quintet in the NBA. Yet, they are 12-15.
Rubio is easier to figure out… he was not wanted in MIN and his trade value hit the floor. The Cavs probably overpaid for him; that was the consensus at the time. But he was always the right guy for them… Cavs needed a Dellavadova.
Rubio is better than Dellavedova by far.
The Wolves are looking better than i expected, but i dont think they will get any all-star this year, if its one is KAT. Maybe they can make it to the play-ins, that’s their ceilling this season.
I think he means ‘game manager’ with the Delly comp.