Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves Power Rankings: Bench hierarchy is solidifying

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 19: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2017 at Target Center 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 - NOVEMBER 19: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2017 at Target Center 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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2017 at Target Center 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2017 at Target Center 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Jimmy Butler (3)

Season stats: 36.2 MPG – 16.3 PPG – 5.7 RPG – 4.3 APG – 42% FG – 34.1% 3PT – 86.3% FT

Weekly stats: 36.2 MPG – 16.8 PPG – 7.5 RPG – 3.3 APG – 41.9% FG – 40% 3PT – 81.8% FT

It was another inconsistent shooting week for Jimmy Butler, who continues to struggle from the field despite making up for it with his ever-stubborn defense and his brilliant knack for finding the open man.

Butler started the week in quiet fashion, putting up just six points in the win over San Antonio, although his five assists, three steals and just one turnover were all key to helping the Timberwolves keep the spurs to just 86 points, and take away the dub.

For the next two games, Jimmy Butler looked like he was back to being the Jimmy G. Butler of old, the one that Timberwolves fans have longed to see consistently.

His 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists were huge in the win over Dallas, and his 3-for-5 from 3-point range made Butler a threat from anywhere on the court.

Butler returned to the court against the Pistons a few days later, and posted perhaps his most polarizing game of the season.

Jimmy G’s 26- point, 10-rebound double-double, which also included an impressive 5 steals from the defensive juggernaut, was overshadowed by a huge missed free throw late in the game that would have tied the game for the Timberwolves.

Reggie Jackson was accused of ‘icing’ the free throw (intentionally throwing the shooter out of their rhythm). If you don’t want to feel the pain again, look away now.

He may have missed the huge crunch-time free throw, but you cannot be mad with Jimmy Butler, who showed that he can be the engine that drives these 11-7 Timberwolves through long periods of the game, just like he showed in Chicago.

Like most Wolves, Butler didn’t perform well in Charlotte, but his overall workload for this week see’s him move up in the power rankings to second place, but the number one spot has been a tough cookie to crack, thanks to our leader’s dominance.

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