Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

How does Timberwolves’ Big 3 rank in Northwest Division?

By Max Neuhaus

BLOOMINGTON, MN - JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, MN - JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

5. Utah Jazz

Ricky Rubio, Rudy Gobert, and Joe Johnson

I was going back and forth about the third member of their big three. Rubio and Gobert are the obvious choices, but I found it hard choosing between Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson. While Hood started 41 more games than Johnson, the man they call “Iso Joe” just seemed more noticeable in the offense. Among players who played at least 60 games for Utah, Johnson had the fourth highest effective field goal percentage.

If you stick that trio in the East, it looks like a team that could compete in the weaker conference. In the strong Northwest division in the strong west, however, the Jazz don’t stand a chance.

The main question is where is the offense going to come from? In losing the aforementioned Hayward to Boston and IUPUI’s own George Hill to Sacramento, Utah lost 39 points per game in scoring. Their only meaningful addition this offseason, Ricky Rubio, averaged 11 points per game last season. To be fair, Gobert did score the second most points overall on the team last year with 1,137, and he should be spoon-fed plenty by Rubio. But at a big reason that could change this year is that Hayward and Hill are not there to take opposing players out of the paint with their ability to score from outside.

A bright spot for the fifth seed in the west last season is that they are their two best three-point shooters from last season are still with the team. Johnson and the criminally-underrated Joe Ingles can fill it up from deep, as Ingles shot 44 percent and Johnson shot 41 percent a year ago. A thought among many NBA, and specifically Timberwolves, fans is that the Spaniard would be a much better player if surrounded by shooters. Having two 40%+ 3-point shooters might just be what needs to flourish.

While their top three players being good, but none being great, Utah should have a record around the .500 mark as they are obviously going to slide after losing two of their best three players.

There is one thing we can all agree on: any team with Ricky Rubio at the helm is an exciting one to watch. Take solace in that, Jazz fans, because the playoffs will not be within reach.

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