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Wolves Power Rankings: Top of the Wolves tree gets a shake-up

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 3: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate on the court against the LA Clippers on December 3, 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 - DECEMBER 3: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate on the court against the LA Clippers on December 3, 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 28: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Jodie Meeks #20 of the Washington Wizards during the game on November 28, 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 28: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Jodie Meeks #20 of the Washington Wizards during the game on November 28, 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) /

8. Jamal Crawford (7)

Season stats: 17.5 MPG – 9.1 PPG – 2.0 APG – 0.6 SPG – 39.9% FG – 35.2% 3PT – 92.9% FT

Weekly stats: 19.6 MPG – 9.6 PPG – 0.8 RPG – 1.8 APG – 38% FG – 32% 3PT – 66.7% FT

Jamal Crawford started this power rankings week well, but slipped down another place due partly to an inefficient final three games, and partly by other bench players starting to garner more confidence and production.

Crawford looked like his lively, shot-making self in the Washington and New Orleans games, averaging 10.5 points on 9-21 shooting from the field. J-Crossover gave the Wolves an efficient scoring spark off the bench, something they continue to need every  game.

The sixth man extraordinaire still put up decent scoring numbers for the final three outings, but his efficiency and shot selection struggled to keep up.

Crawford averaged 8.6 points over that stretch, at an insane 24.7 percent usage rate, meaning he ended the possession nearly a quarter of the time he was on the court, per NBA stats.

Related Story: Jamal Crawford is proving the doubters wrong

When ‘Forever 21’ is on his game the Timberwolves faithful can live with this, but when he has games like the 3-for-9 shooting performance in Oklahoma or the 2-10 he managed against the Grizzlies and the high-usage/low-efficiency game can hinder the Wolves.

Combine that with the fact that he averaged fewer assists in more minutes than usual, and Crawford falls well past his usual sixth man position in the Wolves power rankings.

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