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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 – JULY 10: Free Agent signees Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits with Scott Layden and Tom Thibodeau 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 signees Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits with Scott Layden and Tom Thibodeau 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) /

The good: Familiarity

I’m sure you’ve heard this before and you probably feel as if I’m beating a dead horse. However, it’s important to reiterate because it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.

Gibson’s familiarity with Thibodeau, the defense and the scheme will be one of the best aspects of him signing with this team. Sure, the verbiage has changed a little over the years and Thibs has probably adjusted some of his defensive schemes, but for the most part, Gibson walked into training camp on day one knowing what was expected.

He’s been through training camps, practices and multiple seasons with Thibs before. He understands what is expected of him and the other players.

He also has, at the very least, a basic understanding of what is expected on the court. This will allow him to play a step-quicker than he was able to in Oklahoma City or Chicago after Thibodeau left. He can also be an asset to his teammates by ensuring they are in the right positions. He can be a coach on the floor in many ways.

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