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Mid-Week Matchup: San Antonio Spurs 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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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 05: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 05: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guard: Jimmy Butler vs. Danny Green

Danny Green is the epitome of a good San Antonio Spurs player.

While he was drafted by Cleveland in 2009, he spent just one season there while appearing in only 20 games. The season after that, he was sporting a Spurs uniform and only appeared in eight games. His junior season in the NBA was his breakout season. Green appeared in 66 games, starting in 38, while putting up 9.1 points per game. He even had his career high 3-point percentage that season at 43.6 percent.

Jimmy Butler had a somewhat similar ‘rags to riches’ story after coming into the league. Drafted 30th-overall by Chicago, Butler had to work his way into Tom Thibodeau’s good graces. He did just that, increasing his scoring output every year, from 2.6 points per game his rookie year to 8.6 his second season all the way up to last season’s 23.9. His win shares also increased, from 1.1 his rookie year to 7.0 the year after that prior to last year’s mark of 13.8.

For the purposes of this article, we take a look at where we stand today. While the former North Carolina Tar Heel has carved out a very nice spot for himself in coach Pops starting lineup, he is no match for Jimmy Buckets.

The former Marquette Golden Eagle is a superstar and an elite player. His ability to average over 20 points per game while carrying the task of covering the other team’s best player on defense is nothing short of remarkable.

The one area Green has the upper hand, however, is the long ball. He is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter while the Wolf stands at just 33.7 percent lifetime from beyond the arc, although he’s been much better in recent years.

Advantage: Jimmy Butler

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