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3 Reasons Jeff Teague should remain the starting point guard (and 2 reasons he shouldn’t)

By Justin Pinotti

Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 876911676
Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 876911676 /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 15: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 15, 2017 at the 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 15: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 15, 2017 at the 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3) Jeff Teague should remain the starting point guard….because Thibs likes to have Jimmy be a maniac on defense.

“Jimmy will run the offense and set the tone on defense” Sounds great! But in practice, it’s a lot more difficult than that. No doubt that Jimmy Butler is,

  • A great 2-way player and gives the Wolves a ton of options on both ends.
  • Our best offensive player, best passer, and the guy we should run our offense through.
  • Our best defensive player and capable of setting the tone defensively.

But it’s a lot to ask him to do everything for all 82 games. Humans just don’t have that kind of energy.

Jeff Teague gives the Wolves another option on offense who can run the show and give us good offensive possessions, which helps keep Jimmy, Wiggins and KAT fresh. This is something Tyus can’t quite do.

I really like how Tyus plays ball as a point guard, and when he plays with Jimmy and Wigs, you don’t really realize his limitations….but he does struggle to really force the issue on offense like most great point guards do.

For example, he has a comically low usage of 10% right now…Which I think speaks both to how good he is at running the offense for others, but also speaks to his limitations as someone who can do more.

Thibs likes to lean heavily on Wiggins and especially Butler on both ends, so part of the reason Teague is important is it allows Thibs to continue to ride his wings, while also allowing them the option to not have to do everything on both ends, all night.

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