The Minnesota Timberwolves have been amazing in the 2017-2018 regular season. After missing the postseason last year, the Timberwolves are currently fourth place in the Western Conference with a 24-16 record. Part of their success is due to the formidable trio of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jimmy Butler, and Andrew Wiggins. However, according to John Meyer of Canis Hoopus, head coach Tom Thibodeau had an interesting view of why the team is succeeding.
“I think part of it is experience. The more you do it. He’s got a lot of pride & works at it. Now he’s been around for a while. I think for our team to make another jump we’re going to have to be better defensively. We’re heading in the right direction.”
Thibodeau is known as the defensive wizard who turned the Chicago Bulls into a defensive stalwart through rigorous training and preparation. When Thibodeau took over the head coaching ranks for the Timberwolves, the organization was supposed to become an incredible defensive team based on Thibodeau's track record. It appears that he has noticed some changes in his star center, Towns.
Article Continues BelowTowns is currently averaging 20.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game in the season. He is known as a do-it-all center that has been projected to dominate the NBA in the next few years. In the beginning of the season, Towns performed horribly on the defensive end. If the Timberwolves hope to make a deep postseason run this year, their defense is going to improve to a stellar level against the tough Western Conference.
If what Thibodeau says is true, the NBA just might witness the rise of Towns as the most dominant force in the league.