Eventually, the rest of the league is going to catch up to the Timberwolves in their use of zone defensive concepts. But for now, and maybe a while longer, the Wolves' quick grasp of the new NBA rules has given them an early season boost.

Coach Flip Saunders isn't about to dislocate his shoulder patting himself on the back just yet: A 3-0 record is but a blip over 82 games and the Wolves' "50" alignment always is going to be vulnerable to an opponent nailing its outside shots.

But the fact is, over the season's first week, the Wolves have gotten terrific results. Two of their three opponents have shot less than 40 percent and, mirroring a trend established in the preseason, Philadelphia and Houston shot worse from inside the three-point line than outside it.