{"id":99291,"date":"2024-10-04T06:59:49","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T10:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=99291"},"modified":"2024-10-05T19:29:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-05T23:29:29","slug":"timberwolves-julius-randle-acquisition-adds-pack-mentality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/04\/timberwolves-julius-randle-acquisition-adds-pack-mentality\/","title":{"rendered":"Julius Randle Acquisition Adds To Timberwolves Pack Mentality"},"content":{"rendered":"

On offense, the buzzword has been spacing<\/em>. That\u2019s not just for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the wake of Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a>\u2019s departure but essentially every NBA team. As teams continue to hunt for the best possible shots, looking for an edge over their opponent, efficiency is emphasized. Despite that fact though, analytics-enhanced basketball has lost the plot.<\/p>\n

There is a place, even a need, for analytics. However, rarely will a scientist or academic look at raw data and derive an absolute from it. From chemistry to philosophy, there are more theories than there are laws. Basketball analytics have all but forgotten that there are alternatives, exceptions, and outliers.<\/p>\n

As it relates to Minnesota, the idea that Julius Randle<\/a> ruins the team\u2019s spacing is steeped in misapplied statistics. Towns is undoubtedly a more efficient three-point threat than Randle, shooting 39.8 percent from deep throughout his career. For comparison, Randle has made 33.3 percent of his career 3s.<\/p>\n

Yet, Randle has made 37.4 percent of his corner 3s over the course of his career. This is a shot that will be available to Randle when he\u2019s playing off of someone like Anthony Edwards<\/a>. It\u2019s often a shot that defenses concede while making rotations. Last May, ESPN\u2019s Kirk Goldsberry estimated that 19.6 percent of the league\u2019s total jump shots come from the corners<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With that being said, the Timberwolves\u2019 spacing could be affected by the blockbuster trade<\/a>. However, the concerns could be overblown, as Randle\u2019s pretty efficient from one of the most frequently used areas of the floor. Furthermore, there are ways that Randle might actually help Minnesota\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n

Julius Randle Acquisition Adds To Timberwolves Pack Mentality<\/h2>\n

For starters, Randle is a triple-threat \u2014a player who can pass, dribble, or score. This is in stark contrast to Towns\u2019s limitations as a ball-handler, live dribble passer, and driver. More trustworthy, capable, and dynamic with the ball in his hands than the former No. 1 pick, he increases the Timberwolves options on offense.<\/p>\n

No longer do Edwards and Mike Conley<\/a> have to be the only reliable playmakers in the first unit. Now, the Timberwolves can also play off of Randle, who has averaged as high as 6.0 assists per game.<\/p>\n