Breaking Down the Timberwolves 2024 Paris Olympics Run

Earlier this week, the 2024 Paris Summer season Olympics got here to an finish. Minnesota Timberwolves followers have been fortunate sufficient to look at (in some capability or one other) 4 members of their workforce compete on the highest worldwide stage.

Joe Ingles, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Edwards all suited up for his or her house international locations this summer season, all having a wide range of outcomes and roles. So, with out additional ado, be a part of Charlie Walton, Thilo Latrell Widder, and Andrew Carlson as they break down the Olympics from a Wolves lens, and what particular person performances may imply for the way forward for the workforce.

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Joe Ingles (Australia)

Charlie: Workforce Australia entered the 2024 Paris Olympics with the seventh-highest odds, which can have been perceived to be low after they completed with the bronze medal in 2020. The Aussies have been outfitted with a good quantity of NBA gamers this summer season, resembling Patty Mills, Josh Inexperienced, Josh Giddey, Jock Landale, Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum, and Joe Ingles. Nevertheless, they lacked the star energy that different international locations possessed.

Australia went 1-2 in Group Play with a -4 level differential, nevertheless it managed to advance to the Quarter-Finals, the place it misplaced 95-90 towards Workforce Serbia.

Ingles, 36, performed two minutes in Australia’s first recreation, recording zero measurable stats. He was merely used as a brief placeholder to offer his teammates a relaxation. Joe was DNP’d the remainder of the way in which, at all times suited up on the bench, however didn’t have a task.

Thilo: Evidently Ingles is prepping for his regular-season function of a “vibes man.” It additionally appears that his time as a lynchpin of Australia’s worldwide method is coming to a detailed. Regardless of his lack of taking part in time, Ingles was all smiles on the sideline, which spells nicely for a season that will see him with solely a sporadic function as a bench piece.

Australia’s displaying as a complete shouldn’t do a lot to sway Timberwolves followers, nevertheless it ought to excite Hawks followers watching newly acquired swing guard Dyson Daniels, who was a real defensive terror and ok on offense to boost eyebrows.

Australia and Joe Ingles, collectively, are winding down a technology of gamers that pushed them for years. Fortuitously, they’ve a brand new one coming in as nicely. I’m certain Joe will likely be there to mentor them as nicely.

Andrew: I feel Thilo is true on within the Olympic foreshadowing of Ingles’ function. Although I feel he finally ends up being a extra vital piece to the Timberwolves than what he was to Australia attributable to how vital depth goes to be all through subsequent season, the parallel stays that if we see him in heavy doses, one thing simply isn’t proper.

On the be aware of ushering within the subsequent technology, one of many areas we might even see increasingly more of him in in a Wolves jersey is the potential and sure likelihood that the Rob Dillingham boat takes on some headwind as he adjusts to the NBA as a smaller guard whose shot choice may be questionable at occasions. Even early in Ant’s profession, when shot choice and lower-IQ basketball grew to become a problem, Chris Finch couldn’t get to his older, trusty vets quick sufficient, and in that vein, we might see previous man Ingles take the ground.

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Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Canada)

Thilo: It was a disappointing displaying for a Workforce Canada squad that was bursting on the seams with NBA expertise. Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s MVP finalist cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was the clear headliner, however a lot was being mentioned about his potential backcourt pairing with Nuggets star Jamal Murray. Even Dillon Brooks was trying ahead to it!

The hype was well-measured, it appeared. Whereas Murray continued to point out rust after a playoff run that was hampered by damage, the Canadiens (of basketball, not hockey) gained three straight in Lille towards Greece, Australia, and Spain to advance to the knockouts. It was right here the place an absence of inside presence, maybe spurred by the absence of a sure Zach Edey, left Canada to fall by 9 to eventual silver medalists in house nation France.

Charlie: As for Alexander-Walker, his first Olympic look was unforgettable stats-wise. He had a really restricted function off the bench, and when he was within the video games, the ball was not often rotated to him in catch-and-shoot conditions. Nickeil scored a complete of three factors over 4 video games on 0 of 8 from the ground, 0 of 5 from deep, and three of 4 from the free throw line. He was additionally a -18 in 38 minutes.

The Toronto native’s low impression shouldn’t be what Wolves followers are used to seeing. They’re used to seeing NAW examine into video games, play lockdown protection — which he nonetheless did for Canada — and hit catch-and-shoot triples at round a 40% clip. Nevertheless, Nickeil’s Olympic run was a carryover from how his 2024 NBA season got here to a detailed.

After capturing 39% from three within the common season, Alexander-Walker linked on simply 29.6% of his threes by means of 16 playoff video games. Notching 18 factors in Sport 1 towards the Phoenix Suns and 16 factors in Sport 3, the postseason began off nicely for NAW, however his offensive manufacturing began to regress in a rush. He shot 32.4% from deep towards Denver and recorded no threes made in three video games. Towards Dallas, Nickeil shot 18.8% from three and was just about a nonfactor on offense.

As we shift our sights to the 2024-25 marketing campaign, I might not be involved about that lack of offense carrying over. In actual fact, I count on Nickeil to have the perfect season of his profession. The Wolves will want each his on and off-ball scoring, and I foresee NAW excelling in what appears to be the most important function of his profession up to now.

Andrew: The Olympics have been an unfair snapshot of Alexander-Walker due alone to his nature as a rhythm participant. Identical to his earlier profession stops previous to Minnesota, it’s arduous to plug him in in brief spots and have the ability to see his full effectiveness. He wears folks down and spots up on the opposite finish. He can take video games over and barely contact the ball. Nevertheless, he wants time to do it, and simply two video games taking part in greater than 10 minutes gained’t do the trick.

So many video games final yr are proof of this. One which involves thoughts is on the street in Portland final season in top-of-the-line particular person five-minute stretches of basketball I’ve ever seen, the place he had consecutive hustle performs on protection and refused to overlook from three on the opposite finish. Contemplating it could be the final yr Nickeil is on the roster, we’ve the chance to get pleasure from it whereas it lasts.

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Rudy Gobert (France)

Charlie: Rudy Gobert and Workforce France had the third-best odds heading into the Olympics. Just like Workforce Canada, who owned the second-best odds, France was affected by NBA abilities, resembling Victor Wembanyama, Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier, Guerschon Yabusele, and Gobert. Their roster was distinctive, which made France’s Head Coach Vincent Collet make modifications all through the match, certainly one of which was benching four-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months, nevertheless it labored out because the French made all of it the way in which to the Gold Medal recreation, the place they misplaced 98-87 in a hard-fought battle towards Workforce USA.

Gobert’s function with France dwindled because the Olympics progressed. He started beginning at energy ahead subsequent to Wemby, however got here off the bench within the remaining three video games, being changed by Yabusele or Mathias Lessort. Rudy advised the media that he had surgical procedure on his finger, which restricted him to beneath 4 minutes of motion towards Canada within the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, Collet mentioned he didn’t have surgical procedure, solely an MRI, and was cleared to play regardless of some discomfort in his finger.

The choice to bench Gobert was primarily a strategic transfer.

The Stifle Tower completed the 2024 Olympics with a silver medal, averaging 3.3 factors and 4 rebounds on 69.2% from the ground by means of 14.2 minutes.

Andrew: I feel two issues may be true of a posh Olympics for Rudy Gobert. His effectiveness within the gold medal recreation was simple (he was +3 in 12 minutes), his damage clearly performed an element, and I additionally wouldn’t be stunned if, whereas nonetheless efficient, he takes a step again from the dominance that he placed on show final season.

There have been occasions on the ground when he seemed a bit misplaced, discombobulated, or only a step sluggish. His match subsequent to Victor Wembanyama labored more often than not, however was not recognized as a strategic benefit towards a Canada workforce that lacks any kind of serviceable dimension. That’s a little bit of a problem. Once more, I’m not nervous about Gobert being efficient on the ground this upcoming season. Nonetheless, it does concern me that the extent of dominance from final season will could not essentially be a one-for-one carryover.

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Anthony Edwards (United States)

Charlie: Workforce USA had the perfect odds to win Gold, and unsurprisingly, they did simply that on an undefeated run all the way in which to an 11-point victory over France.

The Individuals have been undoubtedly the perfect and most feared basketball workforce within the Olympics, comprised of present NBA All-Stars and future Corridor of Famers. Nevertheless, that they had some scares alongside the way in which, resembling their one-point win over South Sudan and their getting back from 17-down towards Serbia to advance to the Gold Medal recreation.

Workforce USA did what they have been purported to, however their 2024 Olympic run was each historic and memorable, particularly for the Wolves crowd as they watched the face of their franchise make a splash off a ten-meter springboard at a global stage.

On the uncooked age of 23, Anthony Edwards made his Olympic debut. By the USA’s first three video games, he was their main scorer, however he by no means began after the preliminary USA Basketball Showcase. Edwards completed the Olympics with a median of 12.8 factors (4th-most on Workforce USA), 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 58% from the ground (Third-highest), and 48% from past the arc (Sixth-highest). All of that got here in 16.3 minutes, the fourth fewest.

Above the Gold Medal, and above the stats, the expertise is what we should always all take away from Edwards’ Olympic debut. He spent over a month round a few of the best gamers of this technology, studying from them and constructing relationships. By the point the 2028 Olympics start in Los Angeles, Edwards will likely be in what most contemplate to be a participant’s “prime.” Sure, you learn that proper. Ant remains to be 4 years out from when most professional gamers hit their prime, and he already has the keys to the Timberwolves franchise, he is among the most enjoyable gamers within the league, and was capable of expertise Olympic basketball.

Positive, the Gold Medal will outline this Olympic run as a win for Edwards, however merely being part of the journey was much more significant to his profession.

Andrew: It was a curtain name for what’s been a monumental 2024 for Edwards up to now, and shapes as much as be because the yr rounds out and subsequent season begins. If something, the Olympics have been a celebration for a Timberwolves fanbase that not solely deserves it, however one which’s instantaneously develop into a perennial playoff workforce since Edwards’ second yr, and can get pleasure from loads of the craved nationwide highlight this upcoming season with not solely a Christmas Day recreation, however many nationally-televised video games certain to observe.

The gravitational pull of Anthony Edwards was on the world stage this summer season, and it’s solely about to develop, with the perfect half being in Minneapolis. Stephen Curry couldn’t keep away from him. He and Kevin Durant grew to become inseparable. What’s upcoming is a run that hopefully nobody needs away that pulls for the Wolves. Whereas LeBron rightfully so identified that Ant “hadn’t been there but” when he struggled to pop the gold medal bottle of champagne, it hopefully gained’t final for too lengthy. Take pleasure in all of it.

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Wolves of the Previous: Luol Deng (South Sudan)

Thilo: We could also be largely targeted on the present Timberwolves roster, however a part of the story must go to former Wolves veteran presence Luol Deng. When Deng was handed a four-year/72 million greenback deal throughout a 2016 offseason that noticed many contracts finest it in pure unbelievability, he reinvested that cash. He didn’t purchase a 5 Guys franchise just like the Huge Aristotle, Shaquille O’Neale. He didn’t disappear to dwell the excessive life just like the now aloof Dirk Nowitzki. No, Deng was extra targeted on a humanitarian effort.

To say that the South Sudanese Nationwide Workforce wouldn’t be the place it’s with out its president and assistant coach can be to low cost a Herculean effort from the person whose homecoming to South Sudan after fleeing as a toddler has been triumphant and invigorating.

Deng’s father, Aldo, was a diplomat. In returning to South Sudan with the promise of sports activities and the buildup of the fastest-growing sport on the planet, Deng has embodied the core tenets of the NBA Africa program. It’s inside the overlap of sports activities and politics, one thing that so not often comes throughout our desks in a purely optimistic style, and it’s value celebrating.

Whereas comparisons to Jerry West could also be reward sufficient for Luol, I’m right here to heap reward on him as soon as once more. South Sudan ended the Olympics solely 1-2, however a close to victory over the gold-winning USA in every week one tune-up recreation and a very good displaying by head coach Royal Ivey left them with a lot to construct off of. However, let it’s identified, the foundations have been laid by one man, and he was as soon as a Wolf.