Dunking With Wolves
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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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 28: Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves meets with Timberwolves staff at the Mayo Clinic Square offices and tours Target Field and US Bank Stadium on June 28, 2017 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 28: Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves meets with Timberwolves staff at the Mayo Clinic Square offices and tours Target Field and US Bank Stadium on June 28, 2017 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

Jimmy Butler, Karl Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins

Minnesota not being in the top spot in this category is not a slight on the Wolves whatsover; in fact, they may very well be the top Big Three in the division by the end of the season. With Wiggins, KAT, and Butler, anything is possible (insert KG voice here).

Starting with the former Bull, Butler is something that Minnesota has not had since Garnett left: a legitimate superstar and top-tier player. I don’t think anyone will argue that he is a top-15 player and more than likely top-10 in the NBA. He has the ability to score from inside and out and can finish at the rim with the best players in the league.

The former Marquette Golden Eagle is also an elite defensive player, which is something Thibs and company desperately need. They can put him on any team’s top player and have him locked down. Team defense was an issue last year for the Timberwolves. They ranked 26th in defensive rating in their first season under their defensive-minded head coach. Jimmy Buckets will shore that up quickly.

Towns is another top player for the squad that calls the Target Center home. A top-20 player, KAT has as sweet an offensive game as you can have in the NBA. He can post up and use his beautiful footwork to score on any defender, and can rise up from 15 feet and knock it down all day. He can even step behind the arc and knock down threes.

Towns’ defense, however, needs some work. He was routinely caught out of position last season and was simply not as good of a rim-protector as you would like a seven-footer to be. While KAT did have some blame in that, I also put part of it on Wiggins and LaVine. They were basically turnstiles last season and left the former Wildcat in some very bad situations. Towns’ defense will improve with Butler and Taj Gibson brought in.

In my opinion, the most important player this season will be Andrew Wiggins. If he takes the jump everyone expects him to this year, this team will be scary come playoff time. As is, he is a great scorer that does not play the kind of defense his 6’-8” frame suggests that he should. If Wiggs can pick up some tips from his running mate Butler, the former Jayhawk could become the best third option in the league.

This season will be a fun one for the Wolves players and fans. By the end of the season, I expect them to have the best Big Three in the division. As it stands now, however, that title will go to a team a bit further south.

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