Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 8
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 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: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 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) /

Bench

Minnesota (Jamal Crawford, Gorgui Dieng, Shabazz Muhammad, Tyus Jones)

Oklahoma City (Raymond Felton, Patrick Patterson, Kyle Singler, Alex Abrines)

Minnesota might not have the best bench in the NBA, but it very well could be in the top half this season.

While Jamal Crawford has not had great years the last couple, I fully expect him to show up and show out on this Timberwolves team. Gorgui Dieng could easily start over Taj Gibson, but he would bring a nice scoring option off the bench. Shabazz Muhammad is a steal on a veteran minimum contract. Tyus Jones will have a big jump in minutes this season and will show Thibs that his trust was well placed. This doesn’t include stretch-four Nemanja Bjelica, either, who is recovering from offseason foot surgery.

On the OKC side of things, I have always been a big Patrick Patterson fan. His ability to defend the rim as well as shoot from behind the arc is as good as gold in today’s NBA. Kyle Singler is an underrated player, but that is about where the good part of the Thunder bench ends.

Raymond Felton is nothing more that a guy to come in and teach young players at this point in his career. Other than those three, there is not a lot to give them any type of good bench.

When you trade for players like Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, your depth suffers. They had to give up valuable bench players like Doug McDermott and Enes Kanter. They also lost Taj Gibson in free agency.

There is no doubt both of these teams are top-heavy, but if I need one bench to win a game for me, I’m taking the Wolves.

Advantage: Timberwolves

Home/Timberwolves News