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Minnesota Timberwolves: Best and worst case scenario for Jimmy Butler

By Adam Ziobrowski

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Butler #23 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: Jimmy Butler #23 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) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses 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: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses 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) /

Worst-case scenario

Just as I said, there is a chance Butler and company can’t form a chemistry. We see it happen in sports far too often to ignore this possibility.

Sure, all the hype is with the Wolves because of the combination of Butler and the talent he is playing with. No one wants to discuss the possibility of this scenario, however. What are the possible outcomes of not finding chemistry you may ask? Allow me to tell you.

For starters, a lack of chemistry will lead to frustration on the court from everyone. Frustration will only lead to mistakes and miscommunication which will ultimately lead to losses. Controllable losses like such are ones the Wolves can’t afford in the tough west. Because as we know, the West has only become tougher since Carmelo Anthony joined the Thunder.

Besides losses, a lack of chemistry will hurt Butlers’ numbers too. If things aren’t clicking on the court I can assure you Butlers numbers will regress this season. The most obvious stat that he would regress in would be assists. To dish the ball to guys at will takes a lot of practice with the same players. This is to get a feel of where they like to be on the court, when they’re looking, if they can prepare for unexpected passes, etc. Clearly, a few months isn’t necessarily a lot of practice with the same guys. If he can’t get on the same page with guys then there will be an issue for the all-star.

I believe his shooting percentages would be next to take a dip. This would be because Butler would be trying to do too much which would result in ill-advised shots. After coming off of one of his best seasons this would be a disaster. He isn’t the most gifted outside shooter to begin with – shooting a career 34 percent from three. He knows, just as everyone else, that the Wolves need to shoot better from 3 and that he will have to be better in that category too.

The odds of a regression to this extreme is slim. However like I said you can’t ignore the possibility.

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