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Timberwolves Power Rankings: Wolves start to click for Christmas

By Jake Paynting

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 8: Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Andrew Wiggins #22, and Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves meet with team during game against the Golden State Warriors on November 8, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 8: Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Andrew Wiggins #22, and Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves meet with team during game against the Golden State Warriors on November 8, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 25 Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 25, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 25 Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 25, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Taj Gibson (3)

Season stats: 33.4 MPG – 11.6 PPG – 8.2 RPG – 0.7 BPG – 55.9% FG – 26.1% 3PT – 80.8% FT

Weekly stats: 33.2 MPG – 14.7 PPG – 7.3 RPG – 0.7 BPG – 70% FG – 33.3% 3PT – 50% FT

Week in, week out there isn’t many players who consistently play with the hustle, energy and efficiency that Taj ‘Mr. Clean’ Gibson does.

This power rankings week, he somehow took it to another level.

The 6-foot-9 forward opened up with a 12-point, 5 rebound, 1 block performance in Denver, his usual hardhat attitude may not show up on the box score always, but Gibson is rarely outhustled or outworked in a game.

This held true in the game against the Suns, where Mr. Clean posted an inconspicuous 9 points and 8 rebounds but his numerous deflections, contesting shots well and recovering loose balls were key to the win over a Phoenix team that has bugged Minnesota every match-up.

Vital one-percenter type stats that are vital to any winning team, and make no mistake, Taj Gibson’s game is that of a winner.

He proved every word of that statement correct in the final game of the power rankings week, dominating the Lakers, who were missing a host of players.

The Wolves power station was unstoppable on offense, posting 23 points on a ridiculous 11-13 shooting, including burying a corner 3-ball, equaling out to an insane 88.5 Effective Field Goal Percentage. Not to leave behind his Gibson-like ways, he chipped in 9 rebounds and picked up a steal too.

Gibson has been worth every penny of his two-year $28 million contract already, and we aren’t even 35 games into it.

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