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The Minnesota Timberwolves still well in the hunt for home court advantage in the playoffs. How did they get there? Their seesaw effort certainly had to do with it. The front office tinkering with some marginal moves had an effect. We asked, and 50 of you responded with who you thought contributed the most. It’s time for…
Canis Pulsus Vol. 47 – Quarterly Report 3
(Note: Canis Pulsus Vol. 47 data was collected through 3/1 through the Denver Nuggets game)
Anthony Edwards
A- (34%)
Quarter 1: A- (47.1%)
Semester 1: A (40.3%)
The Wolves went 11-9 during their last 20 game stretch and Ant has been a big reason for the 11. However, some of his late game decision making and poor shot selection has certainly contributed to the 9 as well. Edwards continues to do whatever he can to try and push Minnesota into the playoffs, averaging 30.5 points on 48.1% shooting.
Full voting results:
Julius Randle
B (28% each)
Quarter 1: B+ (38.2%)
Semester 1: A / B+ (31.9% each)
The curious case of what planet Julius Randle is on continues. For a small period of time, many had chalked up his underwhelming play due to “Giannis rumors/trade deadline saga,” but we’re well past that now. His 20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this quarter doesn’t seem too bad, but the eye test looks way worse than that.
Full voting results:
Jaden McDaniels
A- (34% each)
Quarter 1: A- / B+ (35.3%)
Semester 1: A / A- (31% each)
Jaden may have his ups and downs throughout the season, but when he’s up, boy is it up. His last few games have really inspired more confidence among the fan base. Slim has to keep it together and not allow himself to get taken out of games mentally. He is the ultimate X-factor for Minnesota.
Full voting results:
Rudy Gobert
A (28%)
Quarter 1: B+ (35.3%)
Semester 1: A (33.3%)
One of the most steadying forces for the Timberwolves this season has been the four, maybe soon-to-be five, time Defensive Player of the Year. It’s cliché, but Rudy’s “floor raising” ability continues to be on full display. I have no doubt if he didn’t have his ongoing battle with flagrant fouls, he would have earned an A+ this quarter.
Full voting results:
Donte DiVincenzo
B+ (36%)
Quarter 1: B (35.3%)
Semester 1: B (34.7%)
Donte is peaking just at the right time of the season. His three-point percentage has steadily risen in recent months, reaching a season-best 44.1% from deep in February. Just as important has his been his “intangibles” which really look tangible. He’s always the first to sacrifice his body on both ends of the court. At some point soon, the topic of DiVincenzo’s future in Minnesota will need to be had.
Full voting results:
Naz Reid
B+ (34%)
Quarter 1: B- (35.3%)
Semester 1: B (40.8%)
Similar to DiVincenzo, Naz Reid has been getting better as the season progresses. He had a particularly strong stretch in January where he scored 13 points or more in 11 out of 13 games. Naz can still be a liability on the defensive end of the court, but his scoring has been a necessity off the bench.
Full voting results:
Ayo Dosunmu
B+ (28%)
It’s only been eight games, but Ayo has made his presence felt on the roster. He’s immediately settled in as the seventh man after Naz Reid. Minnesota is blessed to have a two-way perimeter player who shoots over 50% from the field while being an above average three-point shooter (38.5%). The 26-year-old is certainly still learning his teammates, but the transition is going smoothly.
Full voting results:
Mike Conley
C (30.6%)
Quarter 1: C (29.4%)
Semester 1: C- (23.9%)
Welcome back, Minnesota Mike! Though he hasn’t played much since his return in a Wolves jersey, perhaps a break is all the relationship needed. His days as an important piece of the rotation may be behind him now, but his presence as a trust sideline and locker room voice is still necessary.
Full voting results:
Bones Hyland
B / B- (26.5%)
Quarter 1: Incomplete
Semester 1: B+ (30%)
Bones has been a breath of fresh air. On the days that he’s been “on,” he’s a flamethrower who ignites his team into an unstoppable offensive machine. Despite being a one-way player, he still adds value in addition to being a immaculate vibes guy.
Full voting results:
Jaylen Clark
C (22%)
Quarter 1: B+ (21.2%)
Semester 1: B- (31.9%)
The downwards spiral of Jaylen Clark this season has been one of the handful of sad storylines for the Wolves. It seemed like it was just yesterday where we were praying for him to hit the 15 minute mark in a game, as it all but guaranteed victory for Minnesota. Nowadays, we’re pleased if he even enters a game during garbage time. He’s a worker though, so I’d expect for him to have a few more meaningful moments this season.
Full voting results:
Joan Beringer
B (22%)
Quarter 1: Incomplete
Semester 1: B+ (30%)
Joan’s grades were all over the place in this one. Finch doesn’t seem quite ready to unleash the 19-year-old to a steady role, and that may be warranted. He’s a ball of limbs and energy at this point, but sometimes that’s what the team needs. An active, athletic, big body. Hopefully Joan continues to develop at his current rate.
Full voting results:
Terrence Shannon Jr. / Julian Phillips/ Joe Ingles
Incomplete
Coaching staff
B+ (30%)
Quarter 1: B (29.4%)
Semester 1: B+ (33.8%)
Chris Finch seems like he’s on his way to winning the “Survived the Most Calls for Firing by a Fan Base” award. Did he bench Julius Randle more? Did he get his team to “play harder” against lower competition? Maybe not. But he has continued to rack up wins.
Full voting results:
Front office
A (28.6%)
Quarter 1: B (29.4%)
Semester 1: A- (31.9%)
It’s not often a front office turns an old player, destressed high draft pick prospect, and bench fodder into *checks notes* millions in savings, a key bench contributor, a previously important roster piece, bench fodder, and that same old player. Have yourself a season, Tim Connelly.
Full voting results:
Ownership
A / B+ (20% each)
Quarter 1: B (26.5%)
Semester 1: A (31.9%)
There’s been some murmurs about Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez cutting some corners to save some money. It’s not clear how true those rumors are, but these things cannot be denied: They rolled out the best jersey rotation perhaps in Wolves history, reintroduced a beloved legend, and has their team on track for another extended postseason run.
Full voting results:
Will the Wolves make the play-in tournament?
No (Earn top 6 seed) (96%)
Quarter 1: No (Earn top 6 seed) (88.2%)
Semester 1: No (Earn top 6 seed) (88.7%)
We finally have a lone dissenter who believes the Wolves will miss the play-in tournament due to being a bottom 11 seed!
Full voting results:
Will the Wolves make the playoffs?
Yes (100%)
Quarter 1: Yes (100%)
Semester 1: Yes (100%)
That lone dissenter has disappeared again.
Full voting results:
What do you hope the Wolves accomplish during the next quarter of the season the most?
Earn a top three seed.
Quarter 1: Increase effectiveness and consistency of defensive effort
Semester 1: Earn homecourt advantage with a top four seed finish
You people are never satisfied are you? 20 games ago, voters asked for the Wolves to get a top four seed. They’ve completed that. Now? Over 17% of voters all called for the Wolves to earn a top three seed. A large portion of voters also mentioned themes of consistency, effort, and maturity. All reasonable asks, I guess.
With a quarter of the regular season over, my feelings on the direction of the Wolves are…
Slightly optimistic (54%)
Preseason: Very optimistic (63.3%)
Quarter 1: Slightly optimistic (61.8%)
Semester 1: Very optimistic (70.8%)
Guarded optimism seems like the way to go with this team. You never know who you’re going to get every game, yet you kind of do know who you’re getting. When all the chips are on the table at the end of the season, rent will come due.
Full voting results:
Minnesota has hit a season high 3.26 GPA, an increase from their 3.13 a few months ago! You (and their parents) must all be very proud of your pups.