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Mid-Week Matchup: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

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) /
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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 19: Ryan Anderson #3 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 19: Ryan Anderson #3 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Power Forward: Taj Gibson vs. Ryan Anderson

Both Ryan Anderson and Taj Gibson are the embodiment of what their head coaches want out of their team. The Rocket Anderson is a big man who is known for his knockdown 3-point shooting more than anything else. On the other hand, the new Wolf Gibson is a in your face defender who would rather block a shot then hit a jump shot.

While Anderson might only be known as a stretch four, he is very good at what he does. Last season, he shot an impressive 40.3 percent from behind the arc while shooting seven 3-pointers a game. That was the second highest three-point percentage of his career, second only to the 2012-13 season. The former New Jersey Net also had an effective field goal percentage of 55 percent, topping teammates like Trevor Ariza (52.8) and James Harden (52.5).

Gibson, however, makes his money on defense. His stats, on the surface, might not be too exciting (10.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and .8 blocks per game), but let’s dig a little deeper. He has never, in his eight-year career, had a negative defensive plus-minus. Even last season, when he was sent from Chicago to Oklahoma City mid-season, he still managed to stay positive. Anderson, on the other hand, has only had a positive plus-minus one year and it was only 0.2.

On the flip side (offensive plus-minus), the Rocket has the edge. He has only had a negative plus-minus one time in his career and it was a -0.1 in his rookie campaign. Gibson is a different story. He has yet to have a positive year in offensive plus minus.

This position might be close, depending on your preference for either offense or defense. Just close your eyes for a second and imagine if these two players switched teams. Which team would be better off?

It’s the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Advantage: Ryan Anderson

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