Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Top defensive lineup

By Sam Nygaard

(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 10: Free Agent signee Jeff Teague of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for portraits 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 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) /

Jeff Teague

A new face in Minnesota, Jeff Teague is more than capable of defending the ball. He is an outstanding on-ball defender and he has put that on display over his eight-year career. He may not be as strong as Ricky Rubio at defending, but he isn’t a sizable downgrade by any means. Teague has averaged 1.2 steals over the course of his career, and he will be able to provide plenty of energy and pressure guarding the perimeter.

Standing at only 6-foot-2, many are predicting that Teague will struggle with the pick and roll plays that the Timberwolves already have a tough time handling. However, Teague is actually a highly-skilled pick and roll defender, NBA.com even wrote an article highlighting his defensive prowess.  They said:

"“With the help of the play-type data that has been added to NBA.com/Stats, we can specifically target how well Teague has defended the pick and roll. Of the 224 pick-and-roll possessions guarded by Teague that have ended with a shot, foul, or turnover, the ballhandler guarded by Jeff has scored 0.69 points per possession, a mark that puts Teague ahead of about 75% of defenders.”"

Teague has been a member of multiple great Atlanta defenses over the years, and he will bring veteran leadership as well as playoff experience to this young team.