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Timberwolves Power Rankings: No Butler, no worries

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Marcus Georges-Hunt #13 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 14, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Marcus Georges-Hunt #13 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 14, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 22: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates a lead with Jeff Teague #0 during a 126-118 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 22: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates a lead with Jeff Teague #0 during a 126-118 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Andrew Wiggins (4)

Season stats: 36.2 MPG – 18.2 PPG – 4.2 RPG – 1.8 APG – 44% FG – 32.7% 3PT – 63.6% FT

Weekly stats: 37.0 MPG – 28.3 PPG – 5.3 RPG – 2.3 APG – 52.5% FG – 43.8% 3PT – 77.8% FT

Talk about about hot weeks: Andrew Wiggins was absolutely flaming this week as the aforementioned Jimmy Butler missed the final two games.

Maple Jordan was every bit of the scoring menace that we have seen in previous seasons, all while showing added 3-point shooting, defense and rebounding. If it wasn’t for the up-and-down nature of Wiggins’ season he would probably have rose to the top of the power rankings this week, instead of settling in to second place.

Before Butler’s absence, however, Wiggins had a solid game, posting 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. The 22-year-old also added a block and a steal in what was a pretty decent defensive night.

From that point on, it was flamethrower Wiggins.

Maple Jordan dropped 29 points, five rebounds and three assists against Toronto, burying an efficient 11-of-21 from the field on the night, including two massive posters on Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl.

And just in case that performance didn’t get Wolves fans hype enough, Wiggins went even bigger in the Clippers win. The former Rookie Of The Year poured 40 points on Lou Williams, Blake Griffin and Co., adding six rebounds, an assist and a block.

Wiggins was en fuego from every spot on the floor, getting to the rim at will, hitting mid-range jumpers and knocking down three of his seven 3-point attempts.

While Butler is out, the Timberwolves need this kind of Andrew Wiggins. Of course it would be pleasing to see this when Jimmy G. Buckets returns, too.

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