ClutchPoints logo
  • NBA
    Eastern
    Atlantic
    • Boston Celtics
    • Brooklyn Nets
    • New York Knicks
    • Philadelphia 76ers
    • Toronto Raptors
    Central
    • Chicago Bulls
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Detroit Pistons
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    Southeast
    • Atlanta Hawks
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • Miami Heat
    • Orlando Magic
    • Washington Wizards
    Western
    Pacific
    • Golden State Warriors
    • Los Angeles Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Sacramento Kings
    Southwest
    • Dallas Mavericks
    • Houston Rockets
    • Memphis Grizzlies
    • New Orleans Pelicans
    • San Antonio Spurs
    Northwest
    • Denver Nuggets
    • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Portland Trail Blazers
    • Utah Jazz
  • NFL
    AFC
    West
    • Denver Broncos
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Las Vegas Raiders
    • Los Angeles Chargers
    South
    • Houston Texans
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Tennessee Titans
    North
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    East
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Miami Dolphins
    • New England Patriots
    • New York Jets
    NFC
    West
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • Seattle Seahawks
    South
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • Carolina Panthers
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    North
    • Chicago Bears
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Minnesota Vikings
    East
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • New York Giants
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Washington Commanders
  • MLB
    National
    East
    • Atlanta Braves
    • Miami Marlins
    • New York Mets
    • Philadelphia Phillies
    • Washington Nationals
    Central
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Cincinnati Reds
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    West
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
    • Colorado Rockies
    • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • San Diego Padres
    • San Francisco Giants
    American
    East
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Boston Red Sox
    • New York Yankees
    • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Toronto Blue Jays
    Central
    • Chicago White Sox
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Detroit Tigers
    • Kansas City Royals
    • Minnesota Twins
    West
    • Athletics
    • Houston Astros
    • Los Angeles Angels
    • Seattle Mariners
    • Texas Rangers
  • NCAAF
  • NHL
    Eastern
    Metropolitan
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
    Atlantic
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    Western
    Central
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St. Louis Blues
    • Utah Mammoth
    • Winnipeg Jets
    Pacific
    • Anahiem Ducks
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • HBCU
  • Women's Sports
  • WNBA
  • NCAAB
  • Gaming
  • Entertainment
  • Soccer
  • NCAA Sports
  • Fantasy
  • UFC
  • Golf
  • WWE
  • Newsletters
  • Community
  • Clutch Games
  • Sneakers
  • Clutch Covers
  • Quizzes
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
Get The App
  • NBA
  • Minnesota Timberwolves

Tom Thibodeau says people get lost in stats

Timberwolves veteran head coach Tom Thibodeau says people get lost in stats, but there's more to basketball than a bunch of numbers.

By 
Nov 25, 2018 at 10:53 AM ET
Google News Preferred Source
featured-image

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Chicago Bulls on a night where two of their starters, Andrew Wiggins and Robert Covington, shot a combined 1-of-30 from the field. The atrocious shooting night from the swingman tandem didn't seem to bother head coach Tom Thibodeau. Thibs said, per Malika Andrews of ESPN, that people can get lost in stats sometimes, and that the win is the most important take away from the game.

“I think sometimes people get lost in statistics in this league,” he said. “Sometimes, stats don't translate to winning. And I think the winning part is important.”

Thibodeau is certainly a coach with an old-school mindset. Most NBA coaches and analysts rely on data and analytics, which require statistics, to study and breakdown the game. But as old-school coaches would say, not everything that happens on the court appears on the stat sheet.

This was certainly in full display in the Wolves' home victory over the Bulls on Saturday night. As mentioned, Covington and Wiggins combined for just one make and four points on the night (all from Covington). However, the tandem's horrific shooting night did not seem to affect Minnesota at all since they still routed the Bulls, 111-96.

Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Timberwolves with 35 points on 13-of-23 field goal shooting and made 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. He added 22 rebounds and six assists to cap off 37 minutes of work. Minnesota also got a hefty lift from their bench as Derrick Rose and Dario Saric scored 22 points and 19 points, respectively.

Nonetheless, stats are there for a reason, and that is to provide a quantitative support of how the basketball game went. But fans and analysts alike shouldn't just rely on statistics to make insights on a particular game or player. People should always remember to watch the games, because there are things that happen during the games that don't translate into the box score.

Mike Cruz headshot
Mike Cruz
More Timberwolves News
Timberwolves and Warriors NBA logos.
NBA
NBA postpones Timberwolves-Warriors game after fatal shooting involving federal agentsJaren Kawada · 14 hours ago
Timberwolves'-dream-2026-NBA-trade-deadline-scenario-that-helps-get-them-over-Finals-hump
Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves’ dream 2026 NBA trade deadline scenario that helps get them over finals humpPaolo Mariano · 2 days ago
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) defends in the second half at Target Center.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards takes blame for stunning loss to BullsPaolo Mariano · 2 days ago
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) works around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the first quarter at Target Center.
NBA
NBA rumors: Timberwolves, Magic could be trade partners ahead of deadlineJulian Ojeda · 2 days ago
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) defends Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) during the first quarter at United Center.
NBA
NBA rumors: Coby White isn’t only Bulls guard Timberwolves have asked about in trade talksZachary Draves · 3 days ago
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert slides his feet
Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert’s wild Eurostep has to be seen to be believedJedd Pagaduan · 4 days ago
You may also like
Timberwolves’ Julius Randle backs Anthony Edwards after All-Star starters revealTimberwolves’ Julius Randle backs Anthony Edwards after All-Star starters reveal5 days ago
Predicting landing spots for 10 best NBA players on the NBA trade blockPredicting landing spots for 10 best NBA players on the NBA trade block5 days ago
The Victor Wembanyama reason Anthony Edwards was an All-Star starter snubThe Victor Wembanyama reason Anthony Edwards was an All-Star starter snub5 days ago
Victor Wembanyama’s candid take on Anthony Edwards ‘getting up’ for Spurs matchupVictor Wembanyama’s candid take on Anthony Edwards ‘getting up’ for Spurs matchup6 days ago
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards’ startling admission after battling ‘face of the league’ Spurs’ Victor WembanyamaTimberwolves star Anthony Edwards’ startling admission after battling ‘face of the league’ Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama1 week ago
Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards sets new career-high in loss to SpursTimberwolves’ Anthony Edwards sets new career-high in loss to Spurs1 week ago
Timberwolves’ Julius Randle bullies Alperen Sengun for easy slam dunkTimberwolves’ Julius Randle bullies Alperen Sengun for easy slam dunk1 week ago
Watch Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards chop it up mid-Rockets/Timberwolves gameWatch Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards chop it up mid-Rockets/Timberwolves game1 week ago
Is Tari Eason playing tonight? Rockets vs. Timberwolves injury reportIs Tari Eason playing tonight? Rockets vs. Timberwolves injury report1 week ago
Is Anthony Edwards playing tonight? Timberwolves vs. Rockets injury reportIs Anthony Edwards playing tonight? Timberwolves vs. Rockets injury report1 week ago
NBA rumors: Timberwolves linked to Malik Monk trade with KingsNBA rumors: Timberwolves linked to Malik Monk trade with Kings1 week ago
Is Bill Simmons’ Michael Porter Jr. trade involving Nets, Pistons, Timberwolves realistic?Is Bill Simmons’ Michael Porter Jr. trade involving Nets, Pistons, Timberwolves realistic?1 week ago
Tom Thibodeau
Just In
Andrew McCutchen claps back at fans for urging Pittsburgh Pirates to move on2h
Matt Painter gives Illinois’ Keaton Wagler ‘most impressive’ compliment after 46-point performance3h
Marcus Smart reveals gruesome finger injury in win vs. Mavericks4h
Taj Gibson celebrates ‘foxhole’ Bulls partner Derrick Rose after 14 seasons together4h
Derrick Rose’s son captures hearts during emotional retirement ceremony4h
Want more NBA rumors?

🚨 Join thousands of fans and get the hottest NBA rumors, breaking news and exclusive insider scoops with the Clutch Newsletter.

ClutchPoints Logo
HomeTerms of ServiceAboutPrivacy PolicyContact UsDMCA PolicyPressEthics and StandardsAdvertiseTeamSitemap
Follow Us
Copyright © ClutchPoints.