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Practice Report | Wolves See Defense Paying Off

Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate

When Tom Thibodeau was hired as President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach this offseason, there was one main focus of improving this year: defense.  

At practice Monday afternoon, two days out from the season-opener in Memphis, some Wolves players felt that they are already seeing improvements on the defensive side of the ball. 

“We work on it every day. The more we get better on the concepts and know where each other is supposed to be, we will be very strong defensively. We can already tell,” Wolves guard Zach LaVine said after Monday's practice. “Sometimes were like ‘man, we weren’t doing this last year,’ so it’s very good.” 

In a seven-game sample this preseason, the Wolves averaged 10.1 steals and 6.7 blocks per game and allowed opponents to shoot 42 percent from the field, including 30 percent from three. 

“The difference is about moving as one. The five guys (on the floor) are doing a good job of being ready and are on the same page,” Ricky Rubio said. “Experience is helping us improve. We have been playing together for a long time and coaches system, especially on defense, is amazing.” 

The improvements on defense could be a result of a number of things. But it all branches off of Thibodeau. 

“Wherever he goes, the proof is in the pudding, he has a top-five defensive team,” LaVine said. “It’s real good. It’s a little bit different (than other years), but you can pick things up quick.” 

Although defense has been a focus, Thibodeau said Monday that building a foundation of success requires more than just defense.  

“We are building our foundation offensively and defensively. We have to execute on both ends of the floor,” Thibodeau said. “We have to start with individual fundamentals and move to team fundamentals and try to work at it every day. We still have a long way to go.”

Getting Ready to Go    

It was obvious as the Wolves concluded practice Monday, they are ready to get the season underway.  

“We have a really good team and we are starting to really get the game,” Shabazz Muhammad said. “I think we are really prepared. Coach does a great job of getting us prepared in our skill work, our plays and especially the defensive part. We’ve been worked really hard and I think that will support us.” 

The Wolves approach the regular season after taking second in the Summer League, losing to the Chicago Bulls in the championship, and finishing 5-2 in the preseason. But Thibodeau knows they will have to take the next step in the regular season. 

“We are going to be challenged differently, but each game will reveal exactly where you are, the things we are going well and the things you need to work on,” he said. “We have to have an understanding of what goes into winning and that’s the commitment made by everyone every single day.”