5. Taj Gibson (4)
Season stats: 30.7 MPG – 9.6 PPG – 7.7 RPG – 1.0 SPG – 51.2% FG – 28.6% 3PT – 84.4% FT
Weekly stats: 31.1 MPG – 7.8 PPG – 7.8 RPG – 0.5 SPG – 37% FG – 33.3% 3PT – 83.3% FT
His importance to the team has been on show for all to see already this year, but Taj Gibson didn’t have his best week over the last seven days, causing his slip in the power rankings this week.
https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/931723729205366784
Mark that down as six double-doubles on the season for Taj Gibson.
He scored 10 points three times this week, with the exception being an absolute stinker in the blowout loss to Charlotte. Gibson scored just a single free throw point and grabbed a meager six rebounds despite playing close to 30 minutes on the night.
As mentioned earlier, Gibson has proved already that his defensive toughness and ability to make the right hustle play at the right time, so his slip in the power rankings is nothing to be concerned about, especially since ‘Mr. Clean’ was predicted to be the least flashy and valuable Timberwolves starter.
There isn’t a whole lot to say about this week for Gibson, he will need to shoot it at a better rate going forward however, as his 37 percent mark this week was a frightening sight for Timberwolves fans.
But Gibson is historically a good shot taker, and makes those good shots at a high rate, just as he has done thus far for the Timberwolves.
If Gibson does expectantly correct his bad shooting, he will be straight back to possibly the most undervalued and underrated hustle man in the NBA.