The 2017-18 Minnesota Timberwolves have added a ton of experienced veterans to their roster. Which player is most suited to take the game-winner?
In Saturday’s 108-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, the outcome was never in question. Most projected starters didn’t even see the court late in the game. However, watching the first half it was clear that the 2017-18 Timberwolves feature two legitimate alpha-type players.
This is not a bad thing, of course. But when the game hangs in the balance, it is important for each player to know their expected role.
Each game will have its own unique ebb and flow and certain circumstances may force Coach Tom Thibodeau’s hand in drawing up final shot type plays. If forced to pick (in a vaccum) between Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns or another Timberwolves player, who gets the green light to launch?
The Field: Andrew Wiggins, Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford and Tyus Jones
The above-mentioned group may not make the strongest cases to demand a shot at the buzzer.
Andrew Wiggins is a tremendous offensive player, and at 6′-8″, the former Jayhawk can score in a variety of ways. Should the game come down to his shot, Thibodeau could elect to post Wiggins near the elbow. Wiggins’ fall-away jumper is virtually impossible to block. Is that enough to be considered “the guy” in the clutch?
Jeff Teague certainly likes big-time moments. As the team’s primary ball-handler, the former Atlanta Hawk and Indiana Pacer could certainly be utilized in pick-and-roll action as the clock nears zero.
Depending on how the defense plays the screen, Teague is more than capable of hitting a deep jumper shall the defender elect to go under the screen. If the 2015 All-Star gets the defense to switch a bigger defender onto him, Teague still possess the quickness to blow past and finish at the rim.
Jamal Crawford and Tyus Jones are really only realistic options in drive-and-kick scenarios; I wouldn’t expect either of them to be initiating the offense in critical situations. While both are capable ball-handlers, neither will be the defenses’ main focus.
Crawford has made many timely shots in his career and seemingly still has a few left in the well. While Jones likely won’t be on the floor to close games this season, the former national champion has a verifiable pedigree of clutch performances on his resumè.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler grew familiar with the closer role over the last few seasons with the Chicago Bulls. The seven-year veteran and three-time All-Star has seen his stock rise every year in the league.
Putting the team on his back, Butler dragged last year’s Bulls into the playoffs, and along the way came many big-time buckets and fourth quarter heroics. Experience matters when it comes to closing.
Butler has the ability to handle the ball in pick-and-roll situations. He can also create a shot from the perimeter without the aid of a screener due to a lethal step-back jumper. The 6′-8″ wing is a threat to score from the block, too. With so many potential ways to score, Butler seems like a no-brainer to take the final shot for the new-look Timberwolves.
Karl-Anthony Towns
It’s always good to have the closer role be cut and dry, but Butler has never had a teammate quite like Karl-Anthony Towns. Entering his third season in the league, the former number-one-overall pick still plays like he has a chip on his shoulder.
Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks is often referred to as the unicorn of the league because of his rare ability, mixed with his size and athleticism. If Porzingas is a unicorn, then Towns is a flying horse with a horn protruding from his head.
Idiotic metaphors aside, the former Kentucky Wildcat more than deserves consideration to take the most important shot(s) of the game. Towns is a legitimate 3-point shooting threat, a capable ball-handler and a force in the post. The budding superstar is still elevating his game and there is no reason to believe Towns cannot achieve new heights.
Remember this one, from the end of Towns’ rookie year? Game-winner.
Verdict
Coach Thibodeau will likely lean on Butler early in the season shall the game come down to the final possession. In fact, look for Butler and Towns to be involved in pick-and-roll action to close fourth quarters. Butler appears to be the primary option and Towns the extremely nice second option.
Next: Karl-Anthony Towns Can Be NBA's Most Improved Player
As the season progresses, could the Timberwolves see these roles reversed? Only time will tell, but for a team that gave away far too many fourth quarter leads a season ago, the Timberwolves seem well equipped to slam the proverbial door on opponents in 2017-2018.