It would obviously be reductive, but not completely wrong either, to say that when Jaden McDaniels is involved offensively, so things are going well for the Wolves. Indeed, this season, when the winger scored more than five shots in a match, his team won 19 out of 26 matches, or 73% success. When he scores fewer than five shots in a game, the Wolves' win rate drops to 62% (13 wins in 21 games).
The statistic is obviously not absolute but it is not completely random since Jaden McDaniels is in a way the barometer of his team. When he is good, it is often because his teammates are too. “If the ball doesn't move, he is the one who suffers the most because we can't find him”, sums up Chris Finch.
Clearly, when Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns make differences, move the ball around and find open teammates, then Jaden McDaniels can express himself. On the other hand, when it is “one pass, one shoot” as Rudy Gobert regretted after the defeat against the Bucks, he almost no longer exists.
“If both of them don’t move the ball and provoke things for the benefit of their teammates, Jaden finds himself sidelined from the game”continues the coach.
“As long as we win, I don’t care if we’re good or not”
If the winger has lost a little influence (less shots and points) compared to last season, where he took advantage of the long absence of Karl-Anthony Towns, he remains essential to his team. With his defense obviously, but also with his offensive opportunism, which can take the team to a higher dimension.
“We know what he brings in defense but offensively, he can give us balance”analyzes Mike Conley. ” It's necessary. Guys tend not to think about him offensively, but he has what it takes in his game, with his prize shooting and penetration. »
Chris Finch nevertheless hopes to see his player do more, particularly in transition, with easy baskets, or on the offensive rebound. “I talk to him about it constantly. He must find other ways to weigh in”, specifies his coach. It’s also about his defense, says Karl-Anthony Towns. “We have a lot of people who can score. When Jaden does it, it also gives him confidence on defense. »
So, should Jaden McDaniels weigh even more? “As long as we win, I don’t care if we’re good or not”seems to respond to his coach and his teammate, the Minnesota player, by way of conclusion.
| 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 | 0.8 | 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 | 47 | 29 | 50.1 | 35.8 | 78.0 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 10.4 |
| Total | 259 | 27 | 48.6 | 36.0 | 73.8 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 9.7 | |
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.
