This was clearly a turning point in Wolves' season. Since Anthony Edwards' rant ten days ago now, the All-Star, Jaden McDaniels and company are transformed and have just won four matches in a row. Above all, they defend at an impressive level.
Some figures show this perfectly: only 85.5 points conceded on average, which gives 87.7 points conceded over 100 possessions, with opponents who only shoot at a 39% success rate. To better understand the scope of these figures, simply compare them with the current league references since the start of the season.
Oklahoma City displays an efficiency of 103.2 points conceded over 100 possessions and limits its opponents to 42% shooting success. In addition, Orlando is the team that concedes the fewest points, with 103 units per game. It's very clear: for four matches, Minnesota has done much, much better than that.
If it is obviously the whole team which has rediscovered its virtues, it is Jaden McDaniels who is the symbol of this rebirth. “He’s phenomenal. I haven't praised enough what he has done in recent matches. He was the MVP of this match », pointed out Anthony Edwards after the success against the Warriors.
He takes fewer shots but above all fewer mistakes
The full-back would also have suggested to his teammate to forget the attack a little to concentrate on defense. And for four matches, he has shot less than he did before. Above all, he makes fewer mistakes. In this series of successes, he only takes one per match, compared to 3.6 before, since the start of the season.
“His hands are no longer down. He is more ready, and sooner,” analyzes Chris Finch. “I defend in the same way, simply, the referees whistle less”, believes Jaden McDaniels. “There are matches where I make mistakes very early. I know it's going to happen. »
For the Wolves, it would be much more interesting if he stayed away from fouls. Here again, the statistics speak for themselves: as soon as he stays under three fouls and takes no more than eight shots, the victories keep coming for Minnesota.
“He’s incredible. He does the dirty work,” remarks Rudy Gobert. “At the start of the year, he was defending, but he was just there. Now he's putting the pressure on.” adds and rejoices Naz Reid. “He makes stops and lots of things that help us defensively. »
| Jaden McDaniels | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 63 | 24 | 44.7 | 36.4 | 60.0 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 6.8 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 70 | 26 | 46.0 | 31.7 | 80.3 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 9.2 |
| 2022-23 | MIN | 79 | 31 | 51.7 | 39.8 | 73.6 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 12.1 |
| 2023-24 | MIN | 72 | 29 | 48.9 | 33.7 | 72.2 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 10.5 |
| 2024-25 | MIN | 21 | 30 | 44.4 | 30.0 | 69.2 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 9.9 |
| Total | 305 | 28 | 48.1 | 35.0 | 72.6 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 9.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
