Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Wolves’ Shabazz Muhammad hopes Tom Thibodeau’s influence helps defense

Shabazz Muhammad

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Detroit Pistons small forward Luigi Datome, of Italy, right, pulls down a rebound from Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013.

Shabazz Muhammad can't get enough Tom Thibodeau.

Muhammad worked out with Thibodeau, who was named the Timberwolves' coach and President of Basketball Operations in April, twice in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League in July, and the two sat down and spoke for about 30 minutes that same week.

Muhammad even spent the past couple of weeks watching Thibodeau work with USA Basketball's defense as an assistant coach at the Olympics in Rio, as the U.S. limited Serbia to 66 points in Sunday's gold-medal game.

Soon enough, the two will be together on a full-time basis when the Wolves start training camp this fall.

"I can't wait," said Muhammad, who starred at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.

Thibodeau brings a defensive mind-set to the forefront, which might be the missing link in Muhammad's game. The 6-foot-6 wing can rebound and score — Muhammad said Thibodeau already knows that. He said Thibodeau wants him to play three positions — shooting guard, small forward and power forward. Muhammad has the build for that type of versatility, but he'll need to be able to guard each position.

"I really want to learn how to get better on the defensive end," said Muhammad, who often is tasked with guarding Andrew Wiggins in practice. "I think if I can do that, the sky's the limit for myself. And that's what coach is telling me about. He's skillful in that position, and that's something I'm going to really soak in."

Muhammad is in the midst of his fourth NBA offseason, but he said this one feels different. The reasoning: This offseason bears expectations, both on a team and national level. Muhammad said even when he's in Los Angeles people are buzzing about how good Minnesota can be, adding if the Wolves can defend as a team this season, they can be one of the better teams in the West.

That type of attention leads to expectations, which generates pressure — the likes of which Muhammad hasn't seen in the early years of his career.

"I've got to make sure I'm on top of my game and on top of my stuff, because everybody is counting on us," Muhammad said.

Muhammad's regimen this offseason includes three workouts a day — two on the court, and one spent lifting and conditioning.

"I'm really getting after it," Muhammad said. "We've got to be prepared, because coach Thibs is going to really expect a lot from us, especially myself."

Muhammad has been a serviceable bench player to this point in his career, averaging 10.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game last season. But he acknowledged a new staff could provide the opportunity to carve out a new, perhaps bigger role moving forward.

"Obviously the cream rises to the top when we get to camp," Muhammad said, "so we're going to see what happens."

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