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Taj Gibson: The good, the bad and the ugly

By Brian Sampson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Taj Gibson #67 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: Taj Gibson #67 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: Taj Gibson #67 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: Taj Gibson #67 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) /

Taj Gibson is one of the many newcomers to the Minnesota Timberwolves roster this season. So, what’s good, bad and ugly about his game?

Early in free agency, Taj Gibson and the Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a two-year $28 million deal to reunite the power forward with his former coach Tom Thibodeau. The contract took some heat from fans who weren’t happy with the amount of money doled out to an aging veteran who can’t shoot.

Regardless of the money, the path he took to the NBA is somewhat unique.

When he first attended the University of Southern California in 2006, he was one of the oldest freshmen in college. At 21-years-old, he had a physical advantage over most of his peers. He spent three years there, helping the Trojans win the PAC-10 tournament championship in 2010, his final season.

He was then selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and began his professional career at 24-years-old. He spent most of his time coming off the bench for the Chicago Bulls and didn’t become a full-time starter until part-way through the 2015-16 season after Thibodeau had already left.

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Gibson was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder last season before leaving via free agency in the summer.

Whether or not he can live up to the hype the money has created is a legit question. His game appears to be descending as his age ascends. However, his impact off the court shouldn’t be questioned. He is known as an intelligent and hard-working player who is a good influence in the locker room. That can’t be undersold as the Timberwolves look to gel quickly in the coming weeks.

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