Dunking With Wolves
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5 Timberwolves players who have shown early growth this season

By Adam 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 – NOVEMBER 15: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks against the San Antonio Spurs on November 15, 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 15: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks against the San Antonio Spurs on November 15, 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) /

2. Nemanja Bjelica

Although his season has been limited to 18 games, Bjelica has shown tremendous growth this season.

There’s no argument against the fact that he has been an offensive juggernaut off the bench when healthy. Also, his growth is much to the delight of a bench unit that ranks last in minutes and struggles to produce.

Bjelica has increased every scoring statistic from last season. He is shooting 57.8 percent from the field compared to 42.4 percent last season. His 3-point percentage has increased from 31.6 percent last season to 51.2. He is also scoring seven points per game while playing just 15 minutes per contest.

When looking at his early growth, two question come to mind. One, can this last all season and beyond? And two, why isn’t he playing more when healthy? He certainly looks more comfortable on the court than he has in his previous two seasons. And clearly, he is producing more and becoming a factor on the team.

It’s unclear how much he will play when he returns from injury. However, when he is fully healthy, this is a man who deserves to log around 20 minutes per game. Sure, his defensive rating is nearly the same as last season (108.8 last season to 108.9 this year), however, his offensive production can’t be ignored.

His offensive rating has been off the charts this season; he has a rating of 127.7, the highest on the team, compared to 105.1 last season, which was just ninth on the team.

With his superb shooting he has been taking the ball to the hoop more often and more explosively this season. Take a look.

Look for Bjelica to continue his growth throughout the rest of the season once he returns from injury.

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