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5 Timberwolves players who have shown early growth this season

ByAdam Ziobrowski|
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes to the basket against the Phoenix Suns on December 16, 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 16: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes to the basket against the Phoenix Suns on December 16, 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 – DECEMBER 16: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on December 16, 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 16: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on December 16, 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)

3. Jeff Teague

A man who has never missed the playoffs in his career, Teague clearly has no intention of changing that this season.

Teague came to the Wolves replacing long-time fan favorite Ricky Rubio. There was some concern surrounding the signing because of how well Rubio conducted the offense and led the defense. However, Teague has done just fine this season replacing Rubio. That is a big reason why he shown growth early on this season.

First and foremost, he has been much more explosive driving to the basket all season. It seems like plays such as the one below are made by Teague multiple times per game.

He is also the other court general on the team, along with Jimmy Butler. Teague has shown this by way of precise passes and great vision on the court.

https://twitter.com/DefPenHoops/status/930267210752364544

Although he is scoring less than last season, he is shooting the ball efficiently and taking smart shots. He has increased his filed goal percentage slightly, from 44.2 percent last season to 44.4 percent this year. He’s also become a better 3-point shooter this season compared to last. He is currently shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc this season, compared to 35.7 percent last year and his career average of 35.8 percent.

https://twitter.com/DefPenHoops/status/927356240757436416

More importantly Teague has played better defense than he did last season. This was the biggest concern with fans about Teague. Comparing him to Rubio, many people felt as if the Wolves were losing a big piece defensively.

However, Teague’s defensive rating is much better this season. Last year with the Indiana Pacers, Teague had a defensive rating of 115.1 — nearly dead-last on the team. This season, Teague has a defensive rating of 110.9. Not great, but better. Plays like the one below display what Teague has displayed for the Wolves for most of the early portion of the season.

Teague has shown growth where it counts the most for the Wolves: defense. Not to put his offense aside but everyone knows the Wolves defensive struggles. Teague producing more on that side of the court means much more and shows his early growth.

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