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Mid-week Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors

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. Klay Thompson

This battle between Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler shapes up to be the closest battle along the starting five. Both are top five shooting guards and are very important to their respective teams.

Butler, the new kid in Minnesota, has shown the ability to carry a team with not a lot of talent to the playoffs. Thompson, however, has been a key cog for a Golden State team that is the best in the league and has represented the tough western conference in the Finals three straight times.

Thompson looks to have the edge scoring in the young season. The lesser-known half of the splash brothers has picked up right where he left off from last year. He is averaging 21 points per game on 50 percent shooting, including 43.2 percent from three. Jimmy Buckets has started off slow. He is only averaging 13.3 points per game on 39.5 percent shooting.

The former Chicago Bull has been the more well-rounded player this season. He is averaging more than one and a half more rebounds per game and exactly one and a half more assists per game than his counterpart.

If you just look at the stats, it looks like Thompson is far and away the better player. Look at the circumstances: Klay has been with the same team his whole career and is playing alongside two of the top 10 players in the NBA. The former Marquette Golden Eagle has been trying to change a losing culture and is bound to go through bumps in the road.

Let’s try something. Just imagine the Warriors if they didn’t have Thompson and the Wolves without Butler. Who is worse off?

Advantage: Jimmy Butler

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