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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 08: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors 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 08: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors 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) /

Power Forward: Taj Gibson vs. Draymond Green

Draymond Green does so much for the Golden State Warriors. He is their defensive stopper, as evidenced by his Defensive Player of the Year award last season. He is also their tough guy, making sure no one gets in the face of the face of the franchise in Steph Curry. Green can also be their emotional leader, making a big block that leads to him screaming, which gets the rest of the team pumped. Some might even say he is the most important piece for the Warriors.

Taj Gibson, on the other hand, seems to be Minnesota’s weakest starter. In a lineup filled with players the likes of Jimmy Butler, Karl Anthony Towns, and Andrew Wiggins, scoring doesn’t need to be at a premium for Gibson. Unfortunately, he is not a power forward who can switch onto guards on defense like Green does. Whenever he gets caught player defense on a point guard, it often ends with them driving right by Gibson and a tough contest for KAT at the rim.

This situation is slightly comparable to the situation surrounding Butler and Klay Thompson. While Green has been with this elite team for many years and gotten to know how his teammates do things, Gibson is trying to be a teacher. While I’m not saying Gibson is at the same level as Butler, he is still learning how to play with his new Wolves Teammates.

Just like Kevin Durant vs. Andrew Wiggins, I don’t think there is much debate here.

Advantage: Draymond Green

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