While the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to improve their offensive identity, it will only be easier if Karl-Anthony Towns can continue to adapt. We got an early glimpse of that with the first two games of the preseason against the Dallas Mavericks in Abu Dhabi. KAT was a clear focal point of the offensive flow, whether that was with the ball in his hands or not. Overall, there were plenty of glimpses to be excited about as we move through the rest of the preseason and into the regular season.
One of the largest issues with Minnesota’s offense this past season was their lack of creativity within the halfcourt. Much of that could have been because KAT often takes his time when the ball is in his hands. In Abu Dhabi, Chris Finch not only used Towns in different ways, but KAT was much quicker with his decision-making. Whether that was taking it off the dribble, finding a teammate with a pass, or electing to shoot, it was the first large change in Minnesota’s set of games against Dallas.
The quartet of clips below emphasizes how easily the changes KAT implemented flowed within the offense and how many can come from similar actions on the floor.
Three out of four of these clips above show a situation we often saw KAT in throughout his career.
The first look is a high post touch at the top of the key. Finding KAT here has been the most effective way to get him the ball in the post, and it offers more functionality than a low post or baseline catch. The results speak for themselves. He was able to overpower rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper after a ball screen switch with Luka Doncic, taking off toward the rim directly from the catch to get a bucket.
The second look saw KAT in the same spot on the floor. However, he found Anthony Edwards for a handoff. That gave Ant a running start going downhill, and he drew a foul. That action made use of KAT in this spot on the floor but also gave him functionality to find his teammates, putting them in an advantageous situation.
Finally, KAT looked comfortable trailing the play and catching the ball at the top of the arc. That location is KAT’s favorite place to shoot the ball, where he shoots a career 40.1%. However, he can also use momentum and shooting gravity to get downhill toward the rim. It’s all dependent on a quick defensive read. Here KAT sees Dwight Powell close out, and he decides to attack Powell’s back foot, which creates plenty of separation for an eventual and-one lay-in.
But things get interesting in the fourth clip. KAT gets a screen from Rudy, leading him to a corner three. Towns didn’t get many opportunities to come off screens this past season. However, when he attempted these looks, he was often wide open and could set his feet.
KAT’s make above against Dallas was different, though, because he was slightly off-balance. He has been a set shooter on nearly all of his career attempts, but he’s also capable of attempting more shots like this. It can serve as a creative way to find him when others are operating on the ball.
So much of KAT’s success on the offensive side of the ball comes down to his rhythm. He’s an incredibly talented scorer, but his teammates and coaching staff must find him in his spots to put him in a position to succeed. If the pass is too late off a screen, a three-point attempt may not be the best shot on the possession. If a teammate finds him too far above the break, the defense is likely to press him and can blow up the possession. There is an effective way for KAT to ease his way into this role more effectively – he can become a better cutter off the ball. We already saw a pair of good examples in Abu Dhabi.
Both of these clips not only provide great examples of successful cuts but also great decision-making.
The first clip comes in a lineup sans Rudy Gobert, thus opening up the paint for more cuts to occur. KAT reads that, fills the lane properly, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker rewards him before getting… tackled by Grant Williams?
The clip above shows a cut by KAT with him and Rudy on the floor. Why is this particular possession successful if both players are on the floor at the same time? Because Alexander-Walker sets it up by driving baseline. That gives Rudy the ability to stay in the paint and be a potential safety valve for Nickeil while KAT has the free lane to cut. Thus giving KAT the bucket when the paint defenders tend to Nickeil and Rudy.
To best use their personnel to their advantage, the Wolves must find the best ways to put KAT in favorable positions to succeed offensively. KAT must offer a sense of personal adjustment, though, because he has to find more intricate ways to help his teammates out off the ball, whether that is through cuts or using his scoring gravity to find others for open shots.
