Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 goals for Taj Gibson

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SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 04: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during practice at Shenzhen Gymnasium as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China on October 4, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

1. Help break the playoff drought

It’s been 13 years since the Minnesota Timberwolves last made the playoffs.

Let me repeat that, just in case it didn’t sting enough the first time:

THIRTEEN YEARS.

Now, with a completely new looking team surrounding its franchise superstars, the Wolves have expectations to not only make the playoffs, but to actually compete in playoff games.

Gibson is a big part of the new clan, and a big part of why the Wolves think they can finally make a deep playoff run. He may not be the most purely talented player on the roster, but playoff experience like Gibson’s is often an underrated aspect of winning games. He has only missed the playoffs once in his eight years in the league, and he has been a solid contributor on all those teams.

Winners win, and Gibson has proven he is nothing but a winner. However, getting to the playoffs in the previously mentioned Western Conference wont be a stroll through downtown Minneapolis, either.

But if (or when?) the Timberwolves do finally play in their long-awaited return to postseason basketball, Gibson will be a huge factor in a hugely inexperienced playoff team.

Gibson has played in 61 playoff games in his career, that is more than the entire 2016-17 Timberwolves roster combined. The only other current Timberwolf to play more than Gibson is fellow offseason acquisition Jeff Teague, who has made the playoffs every single year of his career and played in 66 playoff games.

When introducing the two newcomers to the Minnesota media, Coach Tom Thibodeau echoed these statements.

"“They have been in a number of playoff games, big playoff games, Conference Finals … They’re both winners.” he said."

Gibson sounds like he is ready to take on the challenge too.

"“The main thing is to try and change the culture and win games” said Gibson"

Desperate is an understatement for the Timberwolves faithful, and every ounce of playoff experience they can get will be critical.

Gibson hasn’t just played in playoff games, either: he has been an important cog in every series he has been in. According to Basketball Reference, Gibson has never posted a negative Defensive or Offensive Win Shares Rating in his entire playoff career, also posting an above league average 15.6 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) throughout.

Gibson even averaged over 18 points and two blocks per game over five playoff games in 2014, and although they lost that series to a rising John Wall and Bradley Beal, Gibson proved he can be the sort of X-factor that can pop up at any time if not properly checked.

And with so many reliable offensive options, it’s not going to be easy for opposition to always keep track of the shifty Gibson on offense.

It is a huge season coming up for the Timberwolves, and with the five goals we have discussed for Taj Gibson, he seems like he will be right in the thick of things for it. If Gibson can hit these marks in his debut Timberwolves season it will go a long way to not only winning over the players and fans, but winning games too.

Next: Timberwolves Rumor: Jared Dudley trade on horizon?

Lets hope the new Wolf sees his fantastic playoff record continue to improve.

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