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Jimmy Butler’s defense is key for the Timberwolves

By Cooper Langby

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) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves have scraped in two close wins to steer their season back on track after an opening night loss. Some highlight offense has made a big difference, yet Jimmy Butler has come in clutch with some big defensive plays.

Jimmy Butler has always been a stable defender, being named to the All-NBA Defensive second team three consecutive years starting in 2014, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have been in need of a defender after ranking 26th in opposition points per game last season. While Butler’s individual numbers (we’ll get into that later) have been telling a slightly different story, a quick look at Minnesota’s improved ranking, now 17th in the league, will tell you something has changed.

While allowing 105.7 points per game likely isn’t going to win you a championship, the Timberwolves’ have had a difficult schedule to start the season. The numbers should start to look a little better later in the season, especially when you consider the reigning champion Golden State Warriors are currently sitting in 25th, allowing 114 points per game.

While Butler’s points have obviously been starting low this season, his defense has been strong. NBA.com has his defensive rating over six points worse than any other point in his career, and his Net rating (offensive-defensive) is currently in the negatives for just the second time since he joined the NBA.

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However, it needs to be noted that the Timberwolves are currently allowing the opposition over three points more than the Jimmy Butler and the Chicago Bulls were last year.

Butler’s defensive rating is being blown out of proportion by a number of Timberwolves who are so far lacking defensive talent. We recently noted here on DWW that despite Andrew Wiggins seemingly improving his defensive game, Karl-Anthony Towns still looks lost on the defensive end of the court.

The lack in other defenders has forced Jimmy Butler to often be forced to guard the most dangerous shooter on the opposition. Unfortunately for Butler against Oklahoma City Thunder, that was Russell Westbrook.

Although Westbrook started the game quietly, he came alive in the fourth quarter and really got Oklahoma back in the game. Keep an eye on Jimmy Butler in the video below.

So yeah, he struggled. Russell Westbrook was able to get his shots off over Butler, around Butler and he particularly utilized Steven Adams‘ screens to lose Butler completely. This looked off for Butler, who had been quite stable previously in the game, and came up big against Utah the previous game.

Check out 1:36 seconds into the video below

Butler comes up with the huge rebound before getting fouled and sinking his two free throws that essentially ended the game for Utah (we won’t get into Wiggins fouling here.)

After marking Joe Ingles, one of the league’s top 3-point shooters, on the perimeter to narrow Utah’s chance at taking a one-point lead, Butler comes inside to take the rebound over bodies dressed in blue, white, yellow and navy to take away their chance of tying the game with an inside bucket. Not to mention his two made free throws put Minnesota up by four with just over five seconds remaining.

Going forward, The Minnesota Timberwolves are going to need more performances like the effort against Utah to seal some close games, and Butler looks to be the man that can do it.

Similarly, he may need to assert himself as more of a scorer for the team, currently taking a backseat to Wiggins and Towns in averaging just 13.3 points. 

Next: Checking in on the Wolves after 3 games

Jimmy Butler is one of the NBA’s most prominent talents. A three-time all-star, three time All-NBA defensive talent and a selection to the All-NBA third team last year are all impressive awards, but if Butler wants to add more, he’s going to need to take charge of the Timberwolves’ defense and lead the team on that end of the court.

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