.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Timberpups Tracker: Towns makes it look easy
The Minnesota Timberwolves have one of the most exciting collections of young players on an NBA roster with nearly half of their players 25 or younger. Every Thursday, FOX Sports North tracks the progress of those young Timberwolves.
This is the 19th edition of the 2016-17 Timberpups Tracker.
(A glossary of the advanced statistics used for season totals, which are from basketball-reference.com. can be found at the end of this article)
KRIS DUNN (age 23, first season)
Statistical season averages: 17.0 minutes, 3.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks, 39.3 FG%, 30.3 3PT%
Statistical averages, last week: 29.8 minutes, 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.7 blocks, 57.1 FG%, 28.6 3PT%
Advanced stats, season: 8.5 PER, 45.2 TS%, 14.5 USG%, 91 ORtg, 108 DRtg, 0.0 VORP
Notable: Dunn played over 30 minutes on Saturday for just the second time in his career. With the rookie producing three steals and almost two blocks per game last week, look for the uptick in minutes to continue in the season’s final games.
TYUS JONES (age 20, second season)
Statistical season averages: 12.9 minutes, 3.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.1 blocks, 39.7 FG%, 35.4 3PT%
Statistical averages, last week: 19.4 minutes, 3.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.3 blocks, 42.9 FG%, 0.0 3PT%
Advanced stats, season: 13.5 PER, 51.7 TS%, 13.5 USG%, 114 ORtg, 111 DRtg, 0.0 VORP
Notable: Jones has impressed Timberwolves fans all season with his improved composure on the court. It shows in the box score, too – Jones’ seven assists in the overtime loss to Los Angeles are the third most in his career.
SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD (age 24, fourth season)
Statistical season averages: 19.7 minutes, 9.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.1 blocks, 48.1 FG%, 35.4 3PT%
Statistical averages, last week: 13.7 minutes, 5.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.0 assists, 0.0 steals, 0.0 blocks, 41.7 FG%, 0.0 3PT%
Advanced stats, season: 14.5 PER, 56.7 TS%, 20.8 USG%, 114 ORtg, 116 DRtg, -0.8 VORP
Notable: Shabazz is struggling from the 3-point line after practically not being able to miss in January and February. He has sunk only three of his last 25 attempts.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (age 21, second season)
Statistical season averages: 36.9 minutes, 24.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.3 blocks, 53.6 FG%, 35.4 3PT%
Statistical averages, last week: 38.2 minutes, 26.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.3 blocks, 55.8 FG%, 30.0 3PT%
Advanced stats, season: 25.4 PER, 61.0 TS%, 27.4 USG%, 119 ORtg, 109 DRtg, 4.6 VORP
Notable: Towns recorded 37 points and 12 rebounds in a comeback win over Indiana and no one batted an eye. Seriously, what’s the ceiling for this guy?
ANDREW WIGGINS (age 22, third season)
Statistical season averages: 37.2 minutes, 23.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks, 45.0 FG%, 35.5 3PT%
Statistical averages, last week: 38.2 minutes, 24.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, 43.8 FG%, 58.3 3PT%
Advanced stats, season: 16.2 PER, 53.2 TS%, 28.6 USG%, 106 ORtg, 114 DRtg, -0.5 VORP
Notable: After shooting only 14 percent from the 3-point line the week before, Wiggins bounced back with five made treys against the Lakers and finished the week shooting almost 60 percent from the perimeter.
Out for the season: Zach LaVine
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
PER -- Player Efficiency Rating: A measure of per-minute production standardized such that the league average is 15.
TS% -- True Shooting Percentage: A measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.
USG% -- Usage Percentage: An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor.
ORtg -- Offensive Rating: An estimate of points produced per 100 possessions.
DRtg -- Defensive Rating: An estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions.
VORP -- Value over Replacement Player: A box score estimate of the points per 100 TEAM possessions that a player contributed above a replacement-level (-2.0) player, translated to an average team and prorated to an 82-game season.
