But first, I predicted the Timberwolves would put up a 16-66 record.
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| Photo source: k1k0.com |
Team Stats
Offensive Rating (points per 100 possessions): 101.7 (29th in the NBA) [101.7 in 2009]
Defensive Rating (points allowed per 100 possessions): 110.8 (28th) [111.6 in 2009]
Rating Differential: -9.1 [-9.9 in 2009]
Points Scored per Game: 101.5 (9th) [98.2 in 2009]
Points Allowed per Game: 110.6 (30th) [107.8 in 2009]
Pace (possessions per game): 99.1 (1st) [96.1 in 2009]
Player Stats
(in order of minutes played)
Kevin Love
Offensive Rating: 113 (113 in 2009)
Defensive Rating: 109 (109)
PER: 22.4 (20.7)
Michael Beasley
Offensive Rating: 100 (101)
Defensive Rating: 111 (103)
PER: 16.9 (16.1)
Wesley Johnson
Offensive Rating: 105 (Rookie)
Defensive Rating: 114
PER: 9.8
Darko Milicic
Offensive Rating: 90 (101)
Defensive Rating: 106 (109)
PER: 12.5 (12.8)
Sebastian Telfair
Offensive Rating: 101 (98)
Defensive Rating: 115 (111)
PER: 10.4 (10.3)
Corey Brewer
Offensive Rating: 98 (98)
Defensive Rating: 106 (111)
PER: 12.8 (12.1)
Anthony Tolliver
Offensive Rating: 122 (111)
Defensive Rating: 111 (112)
PER: 14.3 (13.6)
Luke Ridnour
Offensive Rating: 110 (116)
Defensive Rating: 113 (106)
PER: 13.7 (17.7)
Wayne Ellington
Offensive Rating: 85 (101)
Defensive Rating: 114 (115)
PER: 5.3 (9.6)
Nikola Pekovic
Offensive Rating: 96 (Rookie)
Defensive Rating: 114
PER: 8.7
After playing at the third fastest pace in the NBA in the 2009/10 season (96.1 possessions per game), Minnesota has sped up the game even more to play at the fastest pace (99.1) in the league through their first 16 games. At this point it doesn't seem to be helping them very much. While they've improved their defensive efficiency ever so slighly, their offensive efficiency is identical to last season. The quicker pace does make them a little more fun for fans to watch.
Love has already posted some ridiculous stat lines. His 31-point 31-rebound effort against the Knicks was phenomenal. On Wednesday night he put up 32 and 22 against the Spurs. He was a very productive player last year, although mostly under the radar, so his PER has not jumped dramatically. But, it's very important to note that he is the 17th best player in the NBA right now by PER.
While Beasley's PER has improved slightly, it is somewhat alarming what he's done with his Defensive Rating. It's fallen from a respectable 103 last season to 110 in 2010. That can be attributed in part to pace. Consider the Miami Heat team he was a member of in 2009/10 played at a pace of 89.6 possessions per game, nearly 10 fewer than the Timberwolves. To his credit, he has raised his shooting percentages nicely, from 45.0 to 47.6 on twos and from 27.5 to 45.5 behind the arc.
No player in the rest of the rotation is producing at the NBA average PER of 15.0. Free agent signee Tolliver is the closest at 14.3 in less than 20 minutes a game.
Ridnour recently returned from a hamstring injury. He's been decent but his PER has fallen from 17.7 last season to 13.7 so far in 2010. However, he is shooting an impressive 40% from three-point range. Telfair played the majority of the minutes at the point with Ridnour out. Based on past performance, his production level is right about what should be expected.
Besides Beasley, the Timberwolves are struggling to get production from their wings. Brewer continues to improve at a snail's pace. To the positive, his Defensive Rating is better by five points per 100 possessions. Shooting has never been his strength but he's been particularly awful this season. He's shooting a career worst 35.8%. The rookie from Syracuse, Johnson, is also struggling with his shooting.
Clearly Minnesota will not be contending for the Western Conference playoffs, nobody expected that to happen. But, to be happy about their progress they'll want to see some considerable growth in the players that they want to build their future around. Right now there are just not enough of those types of players. Love and Beasley are looking good. Beyond that the Timberwolves need more consistent production from the other youngsters like Johnson and Brewer, and Johnny Flynn when he returns from injury.
What are your observations about the Timberwolves so far in this young season? Let me know by posting a comment below.
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