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5 things to know about Timberwolves’ Jeff Teague

By Adam Ziobrowski

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 10: Free Agent signee Jeff Teague of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for portraits with Scott Layden and Tom Thibodeau on July 10, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 10: Free Agent signee Jeff Teague of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for portraits with Scott Layden and Tom Thibodeau on July 10, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 23: Kyrie Irving
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 23: Kyrie Irving /

He isn’t much of a defensive downgrade 

The only real concern Wolves fans should have about Teague is his defense. Although he is an upgrade over Rubio everywhere else on the court, Rubio does hold the advantage defensively.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst made note in a recent article that while Rubio ranked 11th in defensive real plus/minus last season Teague ranked 24th among point guards. This is nothing major, but it does go to show that the Wolves gave up a little of what they need (defense) to get a lot of what they wanted (offense).

Also keep in mind that an improvement for him on defense isn’t that far-fetched. Tom Thibodeau has a way with turning players into All-Star-type defenders (hello, Jimmy Butler.)

On the other hand, it could be much worse. Although Teague is ranked 24th in defensive real plus/minus, there are another 55 point guards ranked behind him. Some of those players include superstars Russell Westbrook (31st), Eric Bledsoe (37th), Kemba Walker (48th), John Wall (50th), Damian Lillard (60th), Kyrie Irving (68th), and Isaiah Thomas (79th).

In reality, he is just simply a downgrade from Rubio. Compared to other stars throughout the league, Teague is statistically a prime two-way player. Numbers may never lie, however, don’t let his defensive numbers fool you. He isn’t an awful defender nor is he an excellent defender. Put him right smack in the middle.

He needs to be able to adjust to Thibs’ style of defense, and he has the experience and smarts to be able to do so quickly. In terms of his defense, it can only go up from here.

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