Dunking With Wolves
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NBA Playoffs: Comparing Timberwolves Starters to Remaining Players

By Zach Burnside

Jan 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and guard Ricky Rubio (9) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and guard Ricky Rubio (9) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) at Target Center. The Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-104. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) at Target Center. The Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-104. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett was a starter for much of the first half of the season and would have remained in this position, getting the young starters off to a good start in first quarters, had it not been for nagging injuries that left him on the bench in sweaters and sport coats for much of the season.

Because of these and other nagging injuries, KG is nothing more than a defensive specialist at this point in his career. He posted career lows in nearly every statistical category, but was excellent on pick and roll defense, and his lone dunk of the season was a highlight poster against Blake Griffin. Looking back to the Garnett most of us love to remember, the comparison is fellow jack-of-all-trades and defensive stalwart Draymond Green.

If we were to have the two standing next to each other, the similarities would not be evident. Green often plays as an undersized center in Golden States lineup of death at a diminutive 6′-7″ while Garnett mans the four-position at a self-proclaimed “six-foot-thirteen.” But it isn’t their stature but their playing style that draws the most similarities.

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Garnett remains one of the best passing big-men in the game despite his decrease in usage. He was also a nightly point-rebound double-double guy for the majority of his career. Like Garnett, Green excels in putting up double-digit totals in each of these categories; he finished second in the league with thirteen double-doubles this season.

Side note: I could have made a comparison using Gorgui Dieng who ended up starting for most of the season at the PF position, but this will probably be my one and only opportunity to include Kevin Garnett in this piece, assuming he retires before this time 12 months from now. It’s also fun to hope that the most similar players to Timberwolves starters in the playoffs next season are actual Timberwolves starters.

Be sure to tune into the Golden State Warriors games to watch how well Draymond Green meshes with his teammates, sharing the ball, defending the pick and roll, and putting up stats in the box score.

Next: Karl-Anthony Towns And A Former MVP

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