Is It Falling Apart? Edwards Publicly Complains, What’s Really Going Wrong with the Timberwolves?

The Minnesota Timberwolves are spiraling, and they know it. The team that made such a splash last season with a historic run to the Western Conference Finals is now struggling to keep their head above water. A crucial game before Thanksgiving saw the Timberwolves fall 104-115 at home to the Sacramento Kings, marking their fourth consecutive loss. With a dismal record of 8-10, the Timberwolves are now languishing near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. This is a far cry from last season, when the team was sitting pretty at 14-4, holding the top spot in the West after 18 games. The early season struggles have many asking: what happened to this promising team, and why are they falling apart?

Edwards Calls Out the Timberwolves’ Disconnect

The most glaring issue is the tension inside the Timberwolves' locker room. After the loss to the Kings, star player Anthony Edwards didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s struggles. He admitted that the Timberwolves were becoming a team that couldn’t communicate, a team that was slowly but surely falling apart.

“You guys want to know why we’re garbage? Why we’re losing? It’s because we’ve got 15 guys who are all in their own world. Everyone is just in their comfort zone, we’re not connecting, and it’s obvious. We can see it, the coaches see it, and we all know it,” Edwards said bluntly, expressing frustration not only with the team’s lack of chemistry but also with the disconnect between the players and the coaching staff.

The 22-year-old Edwards, who has been the team’s brightest star this season, pointed out how the team’s defense has deteriorated. “We’re just not doing what the coaches are asking us to do. They tell us one thing, and we go out there and do something totally different. That’s not the plan. It’s not how we should be playing,” Edwards added, clearly exasperated.

But his complaints didn’t end with his teammates or the coaching staff. Edwards also called out the home crowd for booing the team, a sentiment that reflects just how bad things have gotten in Minnesota. “We got booed at home,” he said. “That’s crazy, man. It’s disrespectful, and it’s wild. We’re trying our best out here, and that’s what we get?”

This outburst speaks volumes about the level of frustration within the Timberwolves organization right now. A team that was expected to compete for the top spot in the West has become a shell of its former self, and the cracks in the foundation are beginning to show.

Edwards’ Personal Performance: Bright Spot in a Dark Season

Despite the Timberwolves' struggles, Edwards has been one of the few shining lights this season. He’s averaging career-high numbers with 28.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. His efficiency has also seen a significant uptick, as his shooting splits of 45.9% from the field, 42.7% from three, and 81.4% from the free-throw line are all career highs. His true shooting percentage has also risen to 60.3%, an impressive jump from the 57.5% he posted last season.

One of the most noticeable improvements in Edwards’ game is his three-point shooting. His attempts have skyrocketed from 6.7 per game last season to 11.1 attempts per game this year, with an increase in makes as well, now hitting 4.7 three-pointers per game. These numbers are almost at the level of peak Stephen Curry, a player Edwards has often been compared to in terms of potential.

Yet despite Edwards’ individual brilliance, the Timberwolves’ offense has failed to improve. The team’s offensive rating of 113.0 ranks only middle of the pack in the league, and their ball movement has been particularly problematic. The Timberwolves are averaging only 287 passes per game, ranking 17th in the league, and their assist numbers have been abysmal, with an average of only 24.2 assists per game, good for 25th in the league. The team’s assist percentage is also worrying, at 60.8%, placing them 22nd in the league.

Edwards' scoring has been exceptional, but his teammates have not stepped up consistently. The offense looks disjointed, and there’s a clear lack of chemistry when it comes to moving the ball and generating easy opportunities.

Defense Crumbles: A Sharp Decline

Perhaps the most significant downfall of the Timberwolves this season has been their defense. Last season, Minnesota boasted the best defensive rating in the league at 108.4. This season, they’ve fallen to 112.1, which is still respectable but only ranks 12th in the league. The drop-off in defensive efficiency has coincided with the team’s struggles overall, and it’s clear that their defense has been a critical factor in their poor record.

One of the main reasons for the defensive decline has been the trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. When Towns was on the floor, he provided offensive spacing and served as a secondary ball handler, helping create better looks for players like Rudy Gobert, who thrived when paired with Towns in the frontcourt. Towns’ ability to stretch the floor also allowed Gobert to focus on his elite rim protection and interior defense without being overloaded with offensive responsibilities.

However, since Towns’ departure, the Timberwolves have struggled to generate consistent offense and haven’t been able to replace the space Towns created on the floor. Julius Randle, the player brought in to replace Towns, has shown flashes of his ability to score, averaging 21.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 50.4% shooting, but he’s also been a poor fit with the team’s system. His ball-dominant style of play doesn’t mesh well with the Timberwolves’ need for movement and ball-sharing. Moreover, Donte DiVincenzo, the other player acquired in the trade, has been a disappointment, averaging just 8.9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists with below-average shooting splits.

The Timberwolves’ Problems Go Beyond the Stats

While statistics and poor individual performances tell part of the story, the Timberwolves’ issues seem to run much deeper. The team’s internal chemistry has taken a massive hit, and players are no longer on the same page. Edwards’ public frustration with his teammates and the coaching staff reveals a deep sense of disarray within the organization.

The Timberwolves were expected to be a top contender in the West this season, but instead, they are hovering near the bottom of the standings, in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. The drop-off in performance from last year to this year has been stark, and the team's inability to maintain the level of success they achieved last season is a tough pill to swallow for fans and the front office alike.

A Path Forward: Can the Timberwolves Fix It?

Despite their struggles, the Timberwolves still have time to turn things around. The Western Conference is competitive, but it's also chaotic, and even though the Timberwolves are currently sitting in 14th place, they’re only a handful of wins away from being back in the playoff hunt. With players like Edwards playing at a high level, the Timberwolves still have the talent to improve if they can sort out their internal issues.

Ultimately, the Timberwolves’ problems are multifaceted, and the solution will require a combination of better communication, improved defense, and a more cohesive offensive scheme. The team also needs to find a way to integrate Rudy Gobert more effectively, ensuring he isn’t left to carry too much of the defensive load on his own.

The situation in Minnesota remains fluid, but if the Timberwolves can rally together and fix the disconnect in the locker room, they could still salvage their season. However, if the team continues down this path, it’s hard to see them achieving the same success they had last year. Fans are hoping this season doesn't follow the same trajectory as the 2004 Timberwolves, who made it to the Western Conference Finals but failed to make the playoffs the following year. The clock is ticking, and the Timberwolves need to find a way to get back on track before it’s too late.