One of the biggest questions surrounding LaMelo Ball's offseason move to the Minnesota Timberwolves was his fit on a team that has been one of the NBA's elite defenses in recent years. 

Ball has been criticized for his defense and lack of application on that end during the first six years of his career. However, when consistent winning is on the line, it makes a glaring difference. 

The point guard has been locked in on trying to help the Wolves in any way he can, drawing praise from his older brother, Lonzo, in the process. 

The Timberwolves are off to a perfect 3-0 start to the campaign. 

Their latest victory was a 117-94 mauling of the Toronto Raptors — sans Kawhi Leonard — on Sunday in their home opener. 

Ball had to navigate through some foul trouble but still made a tremendous impact, recording a team-high plus-minus of +33. He posted 15 points, eight assists, and two steals. 

His defensive discipline was impressive, as head coach Chris Finch kept him on the floor with three fouls in the second quarter. Ball appreciated that trust. 

Speaking about his fit in Minnesota's defensive scheme, he praised those around him for putting him in positions to be successful. 

"They give great hints and just tell you what to do before the game," Ball said after the Toronto win. "[That] kind of makes it easier... We feed off one another [defensively]. We're all moving around out there, playing for each other. That's how you do it." 

Ball slotting into the Timberwolves' starting lineup and becoming an immediate success is a great example of iron sharpening iron. 

During his time in Charlotte, for one reason or another, the Hornets were unable to put adequate personnel around Ball to hide some of his defensive frailties and play to his strengths. 

In Minnesota, anchored by Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels — with Anthony Edwards and Jonathan Kuminga also taking pride in their defense — Ball appears more motivated to defend and is better coached. 

If someone happens to blow by him, there are more hurdles to jump over before getting to the basket. The Timberwolves have athletes capable of helping all over the floor and an aerial eraser in Gobert — and emerging Joan Beringer — protecting the rim. 

Two things can be true: Ball is the weakest link in the Timberwolves' defense, but he doesn't stick out like a sore thumb because of his surroundings. 

With what he offers as a floor general on offense, all Ball needs to be is a willing defender. 

The Timberwolves' offense and Edwards look to have found an instant groove with Ball as the string-puller. Edwards led the Wolves in scoring with 26 points against the Raptors. 

Ball is averaging 16 points and 6.3 assists through three games, doing exactly what Minnesota needs from him to be a strong contender in the Western Conference.

All while he hasn't even had a breakout scoring game yet. And he may not need to if he continues shooting 42.3 percent from beyond the arc, taking what the defenses give him. 

The Timberwolves have won all three of their games so far by 20+ points. Another test awaits them in Cleveland (1-1) on Monday (7 p.m. ET) in the second half of a back-to-back.