Where have Jimmy G’s Buckets been for the Timberwolves?

The acquisition of Jimmy Butler changed the tide for the Timberwolves, and their 7-3 record shows that things are on the right track. But so far, his scoring average is down in Minnesota. Should fans be concerned?

Although Jimmy Butler’s presence has undoubtedly been a big part of the Timberwolves’ winning ways so far this season, the man they call Jimmy G. Buckets is currently averaging a three-year low in points per game and field goal percentage, despite being a proven offensive threat in his six-year career to this point.

Butler has made a big impact for the Timberwolves this season. In his two absences to due to illness, the Wolves went 0-2, being blown-out twice with a combined differential of -44. With Butler active, the Timberwolves stood at an impressive 7-1 record, with a combined differential of +40 going into Wednesday night’s blowout loss to the Warriors.

That loss notwithstanding, things have only been looking up for the Timberwolves, who won each of their two games prior to the loss at Golden State by over 10 points.

Butler’s defense has been key for the Wolves, who have noticeably been struggling in that area. The Timberwolves currently rank 26th in defensive rating, but it would be worse without Butler.

It becomes quite noticeable, particularly towards the end of close games, that Butler is charged with guarding the opposition’s best scorer. Against Oklahoma City, Butler was guarding Westbrook down the stretch. He’s made big plays in other games, too, including pulling down a contested rebound with five seconds remaining in a three-point victory over Utah.

Butler’s offense has by no means been bad, and he has in fact been a clutch player to get the Wolves over the line in some close games, including the recent win over the Pelicans.

Butler has scored 20+ points in a game this year just twice, with another six games over 10 points and one four-point performance, after which Tom Thibodeau praised Butler for making the right choices and playing a great game.

Last season, Butler averaged 23.9 points per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team. While it was clear the move to Minnesota and playing alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, who averaged 25.1 and 23.6 points per game, respectively, a year ago, was likely going to mean a decrease in points for all three, Butler has been quoted as saying “I’m not giving up anything … I don’t give a damn what my stats are. I think winning makes everybody happy.” (Towns and Wiggins are each averaging less than last year, too, but Butler’s total brings up the rear for the Wolves Big Three.)

Although still averaging a respectable 14.7 points per game for the season while shooting 43.3 percent from the field, a lot of Timberwolves fans were expecting some more points from a man nicknamed Jimmy G. Buckets. However, Butler is clearly more concerned with the Wolves winning games than padding his stats. While this is certainly a good thing, I personally find it surprising that the Wolves are doing as well as they are with Butler scoring over 15 points in just half of his appearances.

I wouldn’t want to complain, especially if Butler thinks him holding back his scoring is winning the Timberwolves games. But it makes me wonder how much the Timberwolves could be dominating right now if Butler decided to emphasize his scoring a little more.

After all, the man can make shots like this.

In fact, Butler has been shooting the ball pretty well this season. His field goal percentage, whilst already not that bad, is slightly blown out of proportion by that four-point performance in Dallas, in which he shot just 1-of-7 from the field. In two of his performances, Butler has shot well over 50 percent, going 7-of-10 from the field in the Thunder rematch, and shooting 4-of-6 against the Hornets.

The decrease in points is not due to significantly worse shooting; it’s due to more selective shooting. Last year, Butler averaged 16.5 field goal attempts per game on his way to 23.9 points. This year, that number is down to 12.1 attempts per contest. Butler is also playing slightly less minutes, currently down to 36 a game after last years 37.

What I’m trying to say is, there is no need to worry. Jimmy Butler is still an offensive weapon. His numbers are down, but so are his attempts. Butler isn’t feeling the need to score with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins around. In games where he is needed, Butler steps up, such as his 23-point performance against New Orleans when Towns was limited to a career-low two points.

Butler knows where he is needed, and where his efforts are best kept. All signs have shown that if we need Jimmy G. Buckets to knock down some shots, he is more than capable to step-up, particularly in clutch situations.

Next: Timberwolves Podcast: State of the Wolves 10 Games In

I, for one, wouldn’t be surprised if Jimmy Butler steps up with another 20+ points performance against the Suns in the Wolves next game. Let’s see what happens…