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5 reasons to not worry about the Minnesota Timberwolves

By Jake Paynting

SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 04: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during practice at Shenzhen Gymnasium as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China on October 4, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 04: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during practice at Shenzhen Gymnasium as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China on October 4, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 24: Justin Patton #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up before the game against the Miami Heat on November 24, 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 – NOVEMBER 24: Justin Patton #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up before the game against the Miami Heat on November 24, 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. Justin Patton’s potential

For all the early season successes and failures, there is one thing that every Minnesota Timberwolves fan has at the back of their mind…

When we will get to see Justin Patton in the newly-branded Wolves jersey?

While it remains unclear exactly when that will be after the broken fifth metatarsal he sustained shortly after the draft hampered his training camp and early season, the 6-foot-11 Creighton product is back on a basketball court for the Wolves G-League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.

Iowa was struggling with a 3-8 record when the Timberwolves assigned their rookie to the squad. Since then, they have gone 4-1.

Patton seems to be making a difference, giving us mouthwatering flashes of his oozing potential.

You can see the skills the 16th-overall pick garnered from his younger days as a guard, measuring up at just 6-foot-2 in his high school freshman year.

It hasn’t just been flair for Patton, however.

The big man has put some substance to the show as he strides to prove his mid-first-round draft position in a draft class that has proven to be better than even the most optimistic pundits predicted.

Not to be overworked after the injury, Patton has averaged just 17.1 minutes per game in his five so far. Although he has still managed to put up an impressive 10 points and 5 rebounds per outing, hitting 51.2 percent of his shots.

The defense is what will have Wolves fans really excited, though, as the Wolves struggle night in-night out to stop opposing teams from scoring. Patton has averaged 1.4 blocks and 0.8 steals per game, with RealGM having his Defensive Rating across his G-League run at 101.6.

For reference, Timberwolves defensive leaders Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson have defensive ratings of 104.7 and 104.9, respectively.

Now, these numbers are obviously skewed with the different level of competition J-Pat is facing in the NBA’s minor leagues, as well as the frantic pace and high-scoring that litters the G-League, but the point is clear. Patton can defend. And so much more.

It’s unclear where the big man will fit in to the a Timberwolves rotation that features Karl-Anthony Towns, Taj Gibson, Gorgui Dieng and Nemanja Bjelica, but with the talent he possesses don’t be surprised if Justin Patton forces his way in to it.

Next: The case for a Timberwolves small-ball lineup

Yet another reason why Timberwolves fans should try to not worry about how this exciting season is unfolding.

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