Josh Minott has made Timberwolves coach Chris Finch’s life difficult in the best way possible.
Minott’s summer of development was raved about ramping up to and in the early stages of training camp, but it was difficult to know how real the progress was, and if it would show itself when the lights came on.
But Minott has looked like a different player in the preseason than the version of himself from the first two years of his NBA career.
For one, the jump shot has improved mightily. Through the team’s first three preseason games, the wing connected on eight of his 14 3-point attempts. And while he missed both of his triple tries in Thursday’s 132-126 loss to Denver to wrap the exhibition slate, the shot still looked confident.
Minott finished with just seven points Thursday, but it was one of his best defensive showings. He shined as a weakside defender, blocking three shots on a night where Minnesota rested its top nine rotational players and otherwise lacked rim protection.
Minott’s mere presence on the floor Thursday suggests he may not be in the rotation at the season’s outset. Everyone else who figures to contend for minutes sat the second half of the preseason back to back out, including veteran Joe Ingles.
But Minnesota may simply have wanted to see the 21 year old — who still lacks much in the form of NBA experience — get more reps ahead of the regular season. While Minott, even in this improved form, didn’t figure to factor into the rotation conversation, he has thrust himself into the equation with his play.
There have been large segments of his minutes this preseason in which he has looked like one of the best players on the floor. Minott has been decisive and aggressive, but in a smart way that allows him to use his athleticism without appearing out of control. He gives Minnesota a different element with his ability and willingness to get out in transition, and while his defense could certainly still use some refining, he has proven he’s capable of at least impacting the game on that end of the floor.
He finished the exhibition season as Minnesota’s team leader in blocked shots (7) and steals (6). He was second on the team in points scored (65) and third in rebounds (25), all while shooting at a high efficiency.
It may still be a long shot for Minott to see the floor in Minnesota’s early regular season games unless he leap frogs Ingles and perhaps even rookie guard Rob Dillingham, but he has to at least be near the front of Finch’s mind now should the coach think Minnesota needs any type of jolt.
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