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Wolves Power Rankings: Alpha-Butler is in full force

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 18: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves high five during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 18, 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 - DECEMBER 18: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves high five during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 18, 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) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 10: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 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 10: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 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) /

5. Andrew Wiggins (4)

Season stats: 36.7 MPG – 17.9 PPG – 4.0 RPG – 1.7 APG – 43% FG – 29.9% 3PT – 62.7% FT

Weekly stats: 35.9 MPG – 16.0 PPG – 4.0 RPG – 0.8 APG – 36.6% FG – 25% 3PT – 53.8% FT

This power rankings week feels like a low point in the season for Andrew Wiggins, as he slips out of the top four for the first time all year. It has been a long time, if ever, since the former number one overall pick was considered the fifth best player on his team.

The shooting numbers were down, with Wiggins’ shot seeming to have been left in the 2016-17 season still. Which still includes his free throw shot, what once was written off to a small slump has become a full-blown trend.

This may be the reason why Wiggs seems to be settling for off-balance, contested mid-range jumpers, instead of burying his way to the rim like we are so used to seeing him do.

Although his bounce does seem to still be there…

Besides the Kings game, where Wiggins had 22 points on 9-17 shooting – including 3-4 from 3 – Wiggins failed to throw a rock in the ocean again this week.

With the scoring slump, the Canadian needs to start contributing in other areas in order to help the Wolves keep their fourth place Western Conference standings, just like the massive fourth-quarter steal he had against Portland that led to a crucial bucket.

If Wiggins can continue to use his physical tools to do damage in other areas of the court other than scoring, that shooting touch that we have seen for his entire career will find its way back around.

And so will his power rankings position.

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