It’s no secret, the Wolves haven’t exactly been a model of positivity over the last nine seasons, missing the playoffs every year and not finishing outside of last in the Northwest Division in any of the last four seasons.
Here are a few stats we found from the 2012 season that they need to correct if they hope for those streaks to end.
.468:One of the big issues with the Wolves last year, and one of the main questions this year, is what kind of defense the largely shot-happy squad will play. Last year, they allowed opponents to shoot nearly 47 percent from the floor, seventh-to-bottom in the NBA.
Martin has never been a good defender and Love is adequate at best, but the acquisition of former-and-current Wolf Corey Brewer is likely helpful in man defending, while a healthy Pekovic should give some muscle inside.
.305:The Wolves shot just above 30 percent from beyond the arc last year, worst in the league by nearly 2 1/2 percent.
Not a single Wolf shot above 35 percent from deep, and the presence of Love along with the acquisition of Martin, who shot 43 percent from three and made nearly a full three-pointer more than any Minnesota player last season, is expected to at the very least help the situation.
1:Just one player on Minnesota’s roster appeared in all 82 games last year, that being Luke Ridnour, who is now a Milwaukee Buck.
We will rail on health until the season either is dead and buried, or ends on the championship podium.
73:Minnesota didn’t have anyone officially qualify for the NBA scoring title above No. 73 in the league last year.
Kevin Love (18 games), Nikola Pekovic (62 games), and Andrei Kirilenko (64 games) would’ve been above Derrick Williams, who ended up tied for 73rd in the league in points per game, but didn’t have enough appearances to qualify for the scoring crown.
The last two numbers shed light onto a few things. Firstly, Minnesota must stay healthy in order to be on the court to put up points, and secondly, they must have individual, take-over talent on the floor to stay competitive.
The return of Love as well as Ricky Rubio being healthy an entire year should help solve both.
Here’s to hoping it does.
