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Texas Tech basketball alums: Breaking down Jarrett Culver’s rookie season

By Matthew Conner

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks over Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on January 01, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks over Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on January 01, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Damion Lee #1 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Robert Covington #33 and Jarrett Culver #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Damion Lee #1 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Robert Covington #33 and Jarrett Culver #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Culver looks like he could become a future defensive stopper

It’s only fitting that a Chris Beard disciple becomes a standout defensive player and that’s what Culver appears headed towards.  If he becomes one of the top stoppers in the league, he could become an invaluable asset for a Minnesota that struggled mightily on defense this season.

"According to Sam Quinn of CBSsports.com, “Minnesota allowed the sixth-highest percentage of shots within three feet of the rim in the NBA last season and the seventh-highest percentage this season.”"

As the season progressed, the long and lanky Culver grew more comfortable in Minnesota’s defense and he finished the year as one of the top defenders on his team.  In fact, he contributed an estimated 1.1 win shares because of his defense (according to Basketball-Reference), which was fourth-most on his team this year.

On the glass, Culver collected an average of 2.4 defensive rebounds per game this year, a decent number for a guard.  He also came up with 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.

"“It’s very physical out there,” Culver said in January. “I just feel like I’m growing a lot, learning our terms more, and my teammates help me out a lot. I’m learning the positions I need to be in to be successful on defense.”"

As one of his team’s best perimeter defenders, Culver was also asked to check some of the league’s top offensive stars.  That’s was especially true when playing next to former Kansas Jayhawk Andrew Wiggins, who is allergic to playing defense.

Early in the year, Culver struggled to play within Minnesota’s system and he was often lost when trying to fight through screens.  But as the season progressed, the light started to flicker on that end of the court.

"“[He’s improved] his aggressiveness and his ability to keep connected with dribblers, keep connected with players coming off catch-and-shoot actions,” head coach Ryan Saunders said. “He’s been a guy that’s taken a little bit of time to understand what you need physicality-­wise on the defensive end, as it works with so many rookies. But I think we’ve seen it long enough from him that it’s starting to click for him.”"

So while Culver has to become more of a reliable offensive threat, he didn’t let his growing pains on that end of the floor prevent him from putting forth maximum effort on defense.  We would expect nothing less from a player who spent the previous two seasons with Chris Beard and Mark Adams in Lubbock.

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