Since he made it to the NBA, Karl-Anthony Cities has been criticized for his dangerous protection.
He’s by no means been bodily robust sufficient to compete with different large males and has typically appeared unable or bored with serving to.
Nonetheless, his offensive versatility and ability have all the time made him a useful participant, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have clearly missed him this season.
With out him, Anthony Edwards has needed to depend on the three-point shot far more usually, and whereas he’s made large strides in that regard, that’s by no means been his recreation.
He’s much less harmful when he pulls up from a distance slightly than driving and preserving all people concerned.
Nonetheless, their defensive regression will be the greatest concern with this crew.
At the least, that’s how former NBA participant Greg Anthony feels.
“They’ve lost their defensive identity”
@GregAnthony50 on the Timberwolves after they fall to .500
pic.twitter.com/mkoI0udjbj
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 5, 2025
@GregAnthony50 on the Timberwolves after they fall to .500 
pic.twitter.com/mkoI0udjbjAfter dropping to the Detroit Pistons, Anthony argued that the Timberwolves had misplaced their defensive id.
Chris Finch’s crew has the reigning Defensive Participant of the 12 months in Rudy Gobert.
As soon as once more, nevertheless, he’s confirmed to be unplayable throughout stretches.
Gobert has been pushed round and moved into the restricted space, and the crew’s total defensive effort has been missing.
Trying again, maybe buying and selling their second-best participant months after making the Western Convention Finals wasn’t the wisest concept.
Not so way back, they appeared like a crew on the rise, poised to be a championship contender for years to return.
Now, they’re struggling to hold round .500, and it doesn’t really feel like a coincidence.
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