Maestro Tim Connelly has made Chris Finch’s life easier by stocking his team with players of similar skill sets.
In the NBA, the general manager and head coach are like a chef and a supplier. The coach must use the ingredients provided by the general manager to create a recipe that is not only delicious but also leads to victory. For example, what happens if a chef is making a great ravioli ragu but the fresh eggs to make the ravioli get into foul trouble? Hopefully the general manager has extra eggs stacked in the cupboard. Otherwise, no matter how good the chef is, he won’t be able to make a great ragu.
Analogies aside, the Timberwolves are doubling down on their identity heading into this coming season. Connelly has built this team with elite defense, plenty of big men and a little scoring power from Anthony Edwards and company. In building a roster for a breakout season in 2023-24 and a run to the Western Conference Finals, Connelly has built a roster with overlapping pieces.
What happens if Karl-Anthony Towns, the star power forward who is great on offense but only decent on defense, gets into foul trouble? No problem. Just bring in Naz Reid, the great offensive player who is only decent on defense. There’s no need to dramatically change strategy or play calling in this situation.
And what if Jaden McDaniels, a second-team all-defensive perimeter anchor who is great defensively but limited offensively, gets injured or in foul trouble as well? No problem. Just throw in Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who’s the same type of player.
This offseason, Tim Connelly made further moves to reinforce that philosophy, adding Terrence Shannon Jr., a player with a similar skill set to Jaden and Nickeil but with limited offensive power but defensive flexibility. Additionally, the team signed undrafted big man Jesse Edwards. At 7’0″ tall with a 7’5″ wingspan and limited offensive power, Edwards is projected to be a developmental project, a sort of Rudy Gobert-lite.
Connelly’s philosophy has multiple benefits. First, it allows all players to learn/master the system efficiently. Offensive and defensive schemes do not have to change drastically mid-game if one of the key players gets injured or in foul trouble. This is not only helpful if adjustments need to be made during a game or season, but it also makes the system easier for all players to learn.
Another benefit is that Connelly could look for players in the draft or free agency that most teams underestimate but would fit within Minnesota’s system. TSJ fits this mold. The Wolves will not ask him to be a primary scorer. Instead, they will ask him to display the defensive prowess he displayed at Texas Tech. Additionally, this allows players to play to their strengths as players within an existing system, increasing their chances of individual success.
Of course, there will be some added flavor this season. Connelly also found a way to add some exciting scoring power to Robert Dillingham, and the Timberwolves will look to him to generate points off the bench when veterans Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards are rested.
Coach Finch will be asked to marinate, stir and saute new parts of the Minnesota recipe this season, but the Timberwolves front office is confident that by doubling down on the skill sets that fit this philosophy, they’re on the right path to a championship. So let Coach Finch cook!
