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Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 Issues that need to be addressed

By Reed Redmond

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 20: The Minnesota Timberwolves huddle before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 20, 2017 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 20: The Minnesota Timberwolves huddle before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 20, 2017 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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5. Bench Consistency

The Timberwolves bench is good. It needs to be better.

With the amount of praise the Wolves’ bench has received so far this season, this might be a controversial claim. However, I think Wolves fans have been conditioned to expect such horrific bench play in recent years that they’re satisfied too easily.

In all fairness, the second unit for this year’s Timberwolves is a far cry from last year’s hopeless rotation. In fact, I actually catch myself getting excited when Nemanja Bjelica, Jamal Crawford, and Tyus Jones check into a game. The Timberwolves bench has the potential to provide a spark when we need it most.

The problem? We can’t count on that spark every game.

The Wolves bench has been receiving a whole lot of commendation this year. Yet, they have a Plus/Minus of -1.5 on the year. Even in wins, they only break even. That’s the fourth worst bench Plus/Minus in team wins in the entire league (or, for you optimists out there, it’s the 27th best). I’d like to see both of those numbers go positive before we continue shoveling praise on the Wolves’ bench as a whole.

If the bench is taking on water, even at a modest clip, Coach Thibodeau can’t afford to keep those players on the court for too long. Aside from the starting five, no Wolves player is averaging more than 18 minutes on the floor per game. If the starters are forced to play 30 to 40 minutes per game all year long, late-season fatigue could hold the Wolves back down the stretch.

We’ve seen some great minutes out of individual bench players, but we need a complete second five that Thibs can rely on day in and day out.

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