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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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 01: Jeff Teague (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 01: Jeff Teague (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

1) Jeff Teague should keep his starting spot…..because it’s just two games. 

Look, it’s just two games.

And not only that, we looked pretty bad the game before where Teague was also out.

I admit I do like the idea of Tyus Jones and his fit with the starters. So, while I don’t agree with the knee-jerk reaction to just one game (and a game against the Suns without Booker, of all things), it’s not like I can’t see where it comes from. But I think it’s a bit early to go there. Teague has been good and he fills a need.

I think Thibs would be smart to get a little creative with his new found spark plug player, however. Some scattered ideas:

  • Is there any reason Teague and Tyus can’t share the court together? Right now our backup SG is Jamal Crawford, whom I love, but he is well-known as the textbook definition of a streaky player. He’s gonna shoot us into games, but there have been a few games now, and plenty more to come, where he’s mostly unplayable. I wonder if, in those games, Tyus should just get those minutes? He’s a better defensive player than Crawford and can provide some shooting as well. PLUS! We can maybe start to develop a new and improved small-ball lineup with the dual point guard backcourt.
  • Maybe get Tyus in earlier to play with the starters, while letting Teague carry the bench units? I mentioned this earlier, but I think it has legs. Tyus game fits a lot better playing off creators like Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, while Jeff Teague is useful in situations where he’s needed to score. Maybe Teague can help anchor some of the bench units more so we’re not hemorrhaging points quite so violently like we currently have a tendency to do.

Ultimately, having two good point guards is a problem that is okay to have. It’s an important position, given you almost always are facing a stud point guard every night in the NBA, having the ability to play 48 minutes of quality point guard play is a big advantage the Wolves have.

Next: Behind the scenes of the Timberwolves offense

Tyus has been great and plays winning basketball, but don’t sleep on Jeff Teague, he has been good for us as well.

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