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Mid-Week Matchup: Timberwolves vs. Thunder

By Max Neuhaus

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 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 - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 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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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – SEPTEMBER 24: Carmelo Anthony of the Oklahoma City Thunder is greeted by fans as he arrives at Will Rogers Airport on September 24, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – SEPTEMBER 24: Carmelo Anthony of the Oklahoma City Thunder is greeted by fans as he arrives at Will Rogers Airport on September 24, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Power Forward: Taj Gibson vs. Carmelo Anthony

The last couple season for Carmelo Anthony in New York were, let’s just say, interesting.

From the cryptic interview answers by Phil Jackson to the direction the team was moving with cornerstone Kristaps Porzingis, fans were not sure if they were watching the Knicks or a soap opera. It seemed like a split was best for both of them.

Enter Oklahoma City — nearly the exact opposite of the Big Apple. A small town vibe, minimum press coverage last season (outside of Westbrook), and a great opportunity. Melo can come in and be the third option on a team with two superstars; he never had a team nearly this good during his tenure with the Knicks.

Last season was not a bad one for Anthony, who averaged 22.4 points and 5.9 rebounds. He has yet to average less than 20 points per game in any season, but the main area of concern is his defense. He was basically a turnstile in New York on the defensive end and will need that to improve during his first season in OKC.   

Taj Gibson, on the other hand, is the opposite. While Melo has yet to have less than 20 points per game in a season, Gibson has never had a 15+ point-per game season. On every team he has played on, he has had multiple primary scorers around him to take the scoring part off of his shoulders.

According to basketball-reference.com, the former USC Trojan has an average defensive plus/minus of 1.6 through his nine-year career. Anthony, the former Syracuse Orangeman , has never had a positive defensive plus/minus year, with his average sitting at a putrid -1.2.

Of course, the numbers flip when you move to the offensive side of the ball. Gibson’s offensive plus minus sits at -1.9 while Melo’s is 2.5.

Make no mistake: Carmelo Anthony is the better player. In an era where scoring is seemingly more important than defense, the newest member of the Thunder takes the win in this comparison. 

Advantage: Carmelo Anthony

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