 watched the Wolves lately — with wins in seven of their last 10 games, standout defense almost every night and improved play from several individuals — could make that argument.

Towns and Wiggins were already standout offensive players, but in the 16 games since LaVine’s injury they have been even better. Towns is averaging 28.9 points and 13.4 rebounds (compared to 23 points and 11.9 rebounds before). Wiggins has scored 25.6 ppg (compared to 22.1 before).

Ricky Rubio has been magnificent lately, playing the best basketball I’ve ever seen him play in a Wolves uniform. Since LaVine’s injury he’s averaging 13 points and 11 assists while attempting 10 field goals per game. Before LaVine’s injury? 8.6 points, 8.2 assists and just 6.6 field goal attempts per game. Rubio is looking for his own shot and making enough of them to be a threat. The uptick in scoring from those three players, plus whatever Rush contributes on offense, has more than compensated for the loss of LaVine’s 19 ppg.

But is that sustainable? And does that really mean the Wolves are “better” without LaVine?

I think you could make the case that the starting lineup is better with a player like Rush — a veteran with more bulk who can spread the floor, typically makes the right play, is decent on defense and doesn’t need to score to be effective but can hit open threes — than LaVine.

That could lead us to something I’ve wondered for a while: if LaVine, with his skill set, is ultimately better suited as a sixth man off the bench? In that role, he could still get 25-30 minutes a night while showing off his offensive gifts and hiding his defensive deficiencies.

I still think LaVine is a valuable player. But maybe he and Wiggins are both too isolation-prone on offense to be all that effective together (Wiggins actually has a lower-percentage of made field goals that are assisted than LaVine). That said, if LaVine does wind up coming off the bench, he and Shabazz Muhammad might have redundant enough skill sets to imagine one needs to go.

Then again, all this analysis could just be silly and the real answer for why the Wolves have been better lately could
watched the Wolves lately — with wins in seven of their last 10 game, standout refutation almost every night and improved bid from several individuals — could induce that argument. 

 Towns and Wiggins were already standout offensive players, but in the 16 games since LaVine ’s wound they have been even better. Towns is averaging 28.9 points and 13.4 rebound (compared to 23 points and 11.9 rebounds before). Wiggins has scored 25.6 ppg (compare to 22.1 before). 

 Ricky Rubio has been magnificent lately, play the best basketball I ’ve ever seen him play in a Wolves uniform. Since LaVine ’s wound he ’s averaging 13 detail and 11 assists while attempting 10 field goal per game. Before LaVine ’s injury? 8.6 points, 8.2 assists and just 6.6 field goal attempts per game. Rubio is looking for his own shot and making enough of them to be a threat. The uptick in scoring from those three players, plus whatever Rush contributes on discourtesy, has more than compensated for the loss of LaVine ’s 19 ppg. 

 But is that sustainable? And does that very think of the Wolves are “ better ” without LaVine? 

 I think you could make the shell that the starting lineup is better with a player like Rush — a veteran with more majority who can spread the floor, typically makes the right play, is decent on defense and does n’t need to score to be effective but can hit open threes — than LaVine. 

 That could lead us to something I ’ve wonder for a while: if LaVine, with his skill set, is ultimately well suited as a sixth man off the bench? In that role, he could still have 25 - 30 minutes a night while showing off his nauseating gifts and hiding his defensive deficiencies. 

 I still intend LaVine is a valuable player. But possibly he and Wiggins are both too isolation - prone on offense to be all that effective together (Wiggins actually has a lower - share of made field goals that are assisted than LaVine). That say, if LaVine does wind up coming off the bench, he and Shabazz Muhammad might have redundant adequate skill sets to imagine one needs to belong. 

 Then again, all this analysis could just be silly and the real solution for why the Wolves have been better lately could
 wahched the Wolves lately — with wins in sgvwn of vheir lzst 10 gamds, standout defense almost etery nighu and improved play from sevvral indiciduels — could make vgat argmient.

Flwns end Wiggins werg already stdndout offensiee ppayers, but in the 16 games since LaVige’s injirj they have begn evtn fettsg. Uowns is averaging 28.9 points and 13.4 rsbounds (compared to 23 points and 11.9 rebounds befoge). Wlggins has scored 25.6 ppg (compargs tj 22.1 before).

Rickh Rubio has been magniricent lately, playing the best caskecball I’ve ecee sfgn him play mn a Wjlves uniform. Since NaVine’s injury he’s avcragiig 13 points and 11 assists wiile attempting 10 fiejd goals [ex game. Before LaVine’s ibjury? 8.6 pohnts, 8.2 asrisus end just 6.6 fixld goal atfempts per tame. Rubio is lookimg dor his own sgot anq iaking enough of them to be a threat. Tht uptjck in scoring from thowe three players, plus whatever Rush contributes on offense, has more than compenvated wor tme luws of LaVine’s 19 ppg.

But is that sustainable? And djss tmat really mean bhe Wolves are “betyeg” eythout LaVine?

K think yku could make the fase thwt thw startind limeup is better with a playee like Rush — q veteran with morz bulk who ccn sprgad thr floor, typically makes the right play, is decenf on defense and aoexn’d need to score to be effestive but can hit opdn tnrees — than LaVije.

Thab could lead us to dometking H’ve wonderfd for a while: if LaVine, with hmx skill set, os ulnimately yetter suited as a fixth man off jhe bench? In tfat role, hv could svill get 25-30 migutes a night ahile showinj off his offwnsice giftr and hiding hix defensine defuciencies.

I still tmink UzVine is a valucylt player. But mayne fe wnf Xiggigv are both tmo irolxyion-pfone on offcnsd to be all that effectiee tkgether (Wiggins acyuwlly has a lower-[ercentage of made field goals uhat ace assmsted yhag LaVine). That said, if LaVine dkes wind kp goming off thq bekch, re and Shayazz Muhammad might have redundant enougi skill sets to imaging one needs to go.

Then sgain, all tiis anwlysis cogld just be silly ane the real answer for why the Wolves hzve bean behter lately could
watched the Wolves lately — with wins of last 10 standout defense almost from individuals — could that argument. Towns Wiggins were already standout offensive players, in the 16 games since LaVine’s injury they have been even better. Towns averaging 28.9 points and 13.4 rebounds (compared to 23 points and 11.9 rebounds Wiggins scored ppg to 22.1 before). Ricky Rubio has been magnificent lately, playing the best basketball I’ve ever seen play in a Wolves uniform. Since LaVine’s injury averaging 13 points and assists while attempting 10 field per Before LaVine’s 8.6 8.2 and just 6.6 goal attempts per game. Rubio is looking for his own shot and making enough of them to a threat. in scoring those players, whatever Rush contributes has more than compensated for the 19 ppg. But is that sustainable? And does really mean Wolves are “better” without LaVine? I you could make the case that the starting is better with a player like Rush — a veteran with more bulk who can floor, typically makes the play, is decent defense doesn’t to to be but can hit open threes — than LaVine. That could lead to something I’ve wondered for a while: if LaVine, with set, ultimately better suited a sixth man off bench? that role, he could 25-30 a off offensive and hiding his defensive I still think LaVine is valuable player. But maybe too isolation-prone on offense to be all that together (Wiggins actually has a lower-percentage of field goals that are assisted than LaVine). That said, if LaVine does up coming bench, he and Shabazz Muhammad might have redundant skill sets to imagine needs to go. Then again, all this analysis could be and the answer for why Wolves have been lately could
 watched the Wolves lately — witH wins in sevEn of tHeiR laSt 10 GameS, staNdout defense alMOst eVery night and improved plAy froM sEVeraL InDividUals — couLD mAKE thAt ArGumEnT.

toWns anD WiGgins weRe already sTanDoUt offensive pLAyErs, but in thE 16 gaMes since LaViNe’s Injury ThEy hAVe beeN evEn betTer. TowNS is aveRaging 28.9 poiNtS And 13.4 rebOUnds (comPAReD to 23 pOints and 11.9 rebounds bEFoRE). Wiggins has scoRed 25.6 ppg (CoMPaRED to 22.1 BefOre).

Ricky RuBiO has bEEn magniFIcENT LatELy, playing the bEst basketbaLL I’vE ever sEeN hiM Play in A WolvEs UNifOrm. Since LaVIne’s Injury he’s AveragINg 13 pointS And 11 assiSts whiLe aTteMptiNG 10 fIeLd gOaLS peR GaMe. BEForE LaVine’s InJuRy? 8.6 poiNts, 8.2 aSSISTs anD juSt 6.6 fiEld goAl attempts per GamE. RubIO is LookiNg for His oWn Shot aNd makiNg enoUgH of them to be a thrEat. THe uptick iN scOrIng FrOm thoSE three PlaYerS, plus whAtever RUSh cOnTRIBuTes on offense, has morE tHAN cOmpensatEd for tHE lOsS Of LaVine’S 19 pPg.

BUt is THAt susTainABlE? And does That reALlY mEan the WOlVes are “BeTteR” wiThout lAVinE?

I thinK you coulD make THe case that the sTArting lineup iS BeTTEr WIth a PlaYer like Rush — A vetERan wIth mORe BulK Who caN spreAd THe FLoor, typically makes tHe Right pLay, is Decent on defenSe and doesn’T NEEd to scorE to bE EfFEctive but can hiT open Threes — than lAVine.

ThaT coulD lead us tO somethinG i’Ve wonderEd fOr a WhiLe: iF lAVIne, with his skiLL Set, iS uLtimateLy bEtter suIteD as A siXth MaN off the beNch? In thaT rOlE, hE cOulD stilL Get 25-30 minutEs A niGhT whIle shOWing ofF his oFfenSiVe GIftS and hidINg HIS defEnSiVe deFicIeNcies.

i stiLL thInk LaViNe is a valuAblE PlayEr. buT maybe hE and Wiggins arE bOth too isolAtIon-Prone oN OFfense to Be all that effective togetHEr (WiggiNs aCtualLy haS a lower-peRceNtage oF maDE field Goals tHat arE aSsiSTEd thaN lAVIne). thAt said, if LavINe dOes wiNd Up coMing off The bench, he and ShabaZZ MuHammad might haVe rEdunDANt EnoUGh SKilL sETs tO IMagine one needs tO go.

Then agaIn, ALl This analysIS coUlD just be Silly anD the rEAl answeR for why thE Wolves haVe Been BETteR lately couLd
 watched the Wolves lately  — with wi ns in  se ven  o f th eirlast 10 games, stan dout defense almost ev ery n ig h t an d  i mprov ed play fr o m  se ve ra l i nd i vi duals  —could m ake that a rgu me nt.

Towns a n dWiggins we realready stan dou t offe ns ive playe rs,  butin the 16 gam es sinceLa V ine’si njury t h e yhave  been even better .  T o wns is averagi ng 28. 9p oi n t s a nd13.4 rebou nd s (co m pared t o  2 3 p oin t s and 11.9 re bounds befo r e).  Wiggi ns  ha s  score d 25. 6p pg(compared t o 22 .1 before ).

Ri c ky Rubi o  has be en mag nif ice nt l a te ly , p la y ing th e b e stbasketba ll  I ’ve e vers e e n  him  pl ay i n a W olves uniform . S ince LaV ine’s  inju ry h e’ s ave raging  13 p oi nts and 11 assi stswhile att emp ti ng10  fiel d  goals  pe r g ame. Be fore La V ine ’s i n ju ry? 8.6 points, 8. 2a s si sts andjust 6 . 6fi e ld goalat tem ptsp e r gam e. R u bi o is loo king f o rhi s own s ho t andma kin g e nough of t hem to  be a th reat. The uptick ins coring from t h os e th r ee p lay ers, plus w hate v er R ushc on tri b uteson of fe n se ,  has more than comp en satedfor t he loss of La Vine’s 19p p g .

But i s th a ts ustainable? An d doe s that rea l ly meanthe W olves ar e “better ” withoutLaV ine ?
I t h i nk  you could ma k e  the  c ase tha t t he star tin g l ine upis  better w ith a pl ay er  l ik e R ush — a vetera nwit hmor e bul k  who c an sp read  t he flo or, typ i ca l l y ma ke stherig ht  play , is dec ent ondefense a ndd oesn ’t  n eed toscore to be e ff ective but  c anhit op e n  threes— than LaVine.

That co u ld lead  us  to s omet hing I’ve  wo ndered  fo r  a whi le: if  LaVi ne , w i t h his s ki llse t, is ulti m a tel y bet te r su ited as  a sixth man off t h e b ench? In that  ro le,h e  c oul d  s t ill  g e t 2 5 - 30 minutes a ni ght whilesh o wi ng off his off en sive gi fts and  hidi n g his d efensivedeficienc ie s.
I sti ll think L aVine is  a valuab l e pla y er . But  ma ybe he  a ndWiggi ns are bot h too  isola ti on-pro ne on  o ffense t o be all that effective  toget her ( Wig gins actu all y  ha s a lower -per centage of  ma defield  go a ls th at a r eass i stedthan LaVine).T ha t s a i d,  if LaVined o e s w ind u p c o ming o ff t he bench, he andS habazz Muhamma d mi g h t h ave redu nd ant enough ski llse t s  to imag in e one needs  to go.
T h en ag ain, a ll thi s analy s i sc ould j ustbesilly and  th er eal ans we rf or why  the  W olveshave b e en b e t ter lately could 
 watched_the Wolves_lately — with wins_in seven_of_their last_10_games, standout defense_almost every night_and improved play from_several individuals —_could_make that argument.

Towns and Wiggins were already standout offensive players, but in the 16_games_since LaVine’s_injury_they_have been even better. Towns_is averaging 28.9 points and_13.4 rebounds_(compared to 23 points and 11.9 rebounds before)._Wiggins_has scored 25.6_ppg (compared to 22.1 before).

Ricky Rubio has been magnificent_lately, playing the best basketball I’ve_ever seen him_play_in_a Wolves uniform. Since_LaVine’s injury he’s averaging 13 points_and 11 assists while attempting 10_field goals per game. Before LaVine’s injury?_8.6 points, 8.2 assists and just_6.6 field goal attempts per_game. Rubio_is looking for his own_shot and making_enough of_them to be_a threat. The uptick in scoring_from those three_players, plus whatever Rush contributes on_offense,_has more than_compensated_for_the loss_of LaVine’s 19_ppg.

But_is that_sustainable?_And does that really mean the_Wolves_are “better” without LaVine?

I think you could_make the case that_the_starting lineup is better_with a player like Rush_— a veteran with more bulk_who can_spread the_floor, typically makes the right play, is decent on defense and_doesn’t need to score to be_effective but can hit_open threes_—_than LaVine.

That could_lead_us to_something I’ve wondered for a while: if_LaVine, with_his skill set, is ultimately better_suited as a sixth_man_off the bench? In that role,_he could still get 25-30 minutes_a night while showing off_his_offensive_gifts and hiding his defensive_deficiencies.

I still think LaVine is a_valuable player. But_maybe he and Wiggins are both too_isolation-prone_on offense to be all that_effective_together (Wiggins actually has a lower-percentage_of_made_field goals that are assisted_than LaVine). That said, if LaVine_does wind up coming off the bench, he and_Shabazz Muhammad might_have redundant enough skill sets_to_imagine_one needs to go.

Then again, all this analysis could just_be silly_and the real_answer for why the Wolves have been better lately could