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Minnesota Timberwolves: Mid-season report card

By Brian Sampson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo by Michael Reaves/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) /

Taj Gibson: A-

When the Timberwolves first signed Gibson to a two-year $28 million contract in the offseason, I was one of the loudest opponents of the contract. It seemed like way too much money for an aging power forward who would only clog the lanes for the scorers already on the team.

Fortunately for Minnesota, Thibodeau proved once again to know more about basketball than I do.

Gibson has been a godsend for the Wolves and might be having the best season of his career.

Offensively, he always seems to be lurking in the right spots (short corner) and is in great position for a dump off pass when Butler drives. He’s also always around the boards, contributing to his career high 7.8 rebounds per game this season.

While he’s still not a great shooter, he has expanded his game to the three-point corners this season and has already taken 27 attempts (his previous high for one year was 13 in 2016-17).

Defensively, he’s been even better than advertised.

His flexibility on that end of the court has allowed Minnesota to use him on big men who might otherwise dominate Towns. He can also switch onto smaller players after pick-and-rolls and does a nice job of keeping them in front of him.

His communication and work ethic is also very good and he’s been a great role model for his younger teammates.

I’m still not completely convinced Minnesota couldn’t have used some of that money to sign another wing and shore up their bench, but there’s no saying where they’d be this season without Gibson. He’s been a rock in their lineup.

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