LOS ANGELES – When coach Chris Finch took over as Timberwolves coach, he wanted to simplify things on the defensive end of the floor.
This involved less thinking for players, an increased focus on protecting the paint and using athleticism to make up for mistakes that happen.
The results for the Wolves haven't been better so far under Finch than they were under Ryan Saunders. Finch took over just before the All-Star break, and the Wolves defensive efficiency under Saunders was 23rd. Under Finch it's 30th, last in the league.
If you take away Finch's first five games before the All-Star break as a sort of grace period for him to install some things, the Wolves are 29th.