Timberwolves' Josh Minott, 'the lawn mower,' looks to turn potential into playing time
"Can't afford to not be in there," Minott said. "It's a big summer for us, and we can't waste this. We haven't really proven anything, so I feel like people have seen that we're hungry. I don't really see why there's a reason for us to be overseas and relaxing. You've got to get the work."
One of the biggest differences for Minott in where he is now compared to a season ago is on the defensive end. Minott, exuding confidence, said he feels like he can understand any defensive concept the Wolves throw at him and that he is "one of the elites out there right now" when it comes to that end of the floor.
"Overall, it's been a strong suit of mine," Minott said. "I feel like your shot can be off, or there's just a lot of inconsistencies in people's games, but defense is one of those things that can always be there."
If there's a pathway to playing time for Minott next season, it's on defense, especially given his ability to rebound. The Wolves still struggled on the glass even after adding Rudy Gobert last season, but Minott averaged 7.3 boards per game with Iowa and said that number should have been higher.
On offense the Wolves are focusing on having Minott play out of the corner, enabling him to play off other playmakers like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.
"Right now, he has to be one of those players that masters the corner," Wolves assistant Chris Hines said. "... Those guys who play off the catch in the corners, shoot the shot from the corners, back cut from the corners – mastering the corners for us is going to help us."
Minott said he learned a lot from Taurean Prince, who is now a Laker, on how to play in that spot.
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Howl Wolves!!