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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: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before 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: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before 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) /

3. Taj Gibson (2)

Season stats: 33.4 MPG – 11.3 PPG – 8.3 RPG – 0.7 BPG – 54.2% FG – 25% 3PT – 81.6% FT

Weekly stats: 34.6 MPG – 11.8 PPG – 7.5 RPG – 1.5 BPG – 51.2% FG – 62.5% FT

Much like Teague (But with a bit more hustle), Taj Gibson continues to go to work every game for his new team, doing it with little flair and a whole lotta work ethic. Becoming the beating heart of the Timberwolves starting line-up while he is at it.

This week was no different for Taj ‘Mr.Clean’ Gibson.

He grabbed 5 offensive rebounds and blocked 2 shots to go along with his 7 points against the Sixers and exploded for 18 points and 10 rebounds on 8-14 shooting against the Suns, despite the tough loss.

The forward also got the bright green Timberwolves era going on a hammer-like note.

It has been a wonderful start to Taj Gibson’s Minnesota career, although his career high minutes load might be the biggest reason the Wolves need their Serbian gunner Nemanja Bjelica back from his mysterious foot sprain.

For all the great work Mr. Clean does, he has struggled outside of the paint this year on offense.

Per Dane Moore on Twitter, Gibson entered the Portland game shooting just 36.4 percent from 10-16 feet and just 21.7 percent on 2-point shots longer than 16 feet, nearly a quarter of Gibson’s shots come from these combined ranges.

Those dreaded long twos.

Any criticism of Gibson does seem like nitpicking at this point, however, as he seems to be in the Timberwolves best each and every night.

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