Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Timberwolves Power Rankings: Wolves hit rough patch

By Jake Paynting

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25 Karl-Anthony Towns #32 Jeff Teague #0 Jimmy Butler #23 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25 Karl-Anthony Towns #32 Jeff Teague #0 Jimmy Butler #23 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 20: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves runs down the court during the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 20, 2018 at the 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 20: Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves runs down the court during the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 20, 2018 at the 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Taj Gibson (4)

Season stats: 33.6 MPG – 12.2 PPG – 7.4 RPG – 0.9 SPG – 57.2% FG – 23.3% 3PT – 75.6% FT

Weekly stats: 31.7 MPG – 13.2 PPG – 5.6 RPG – 1.4 SPG – 56.1% FG – 50% FT

There isn’t much to say that hasn’t already been said about Timberwolves glue guy Taj Gibson this season.

The 32-year-old has been remarkably consistent throughout the entire season, scoring ultra-efficiently, grabbing tough offensive rebounds and playing his usual stingy defense.

Nine seasons into his solid NBA career, Mr. Clean is quietly having his best offensive season yet. He hasn’t scored more than his 12.2 points per game since the 2013-14 campaign and has never shot better from the field (57.2 percent) or from 2-point range (59.4 percent), per Basketball-Reference.

Gibson was as consistent as ever this power rankings week, scoring over 10 points in each of the five outings and hitting a sizzling 28-for-57 from the field overall.

The 6-foot-9 ball of hustle put up 11 points and four rebounds against Portland before posting an impressive 12-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Warriors. Mr. Clean was just as good in the final three games of the week, averaging 14.3 points (58.3 percent FG), 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in the Brooklyn, Atlanta and Toronto tilts.

Possibly the most consistent Wolf, Gibson has rarely had a down game this season. He is a coach and fan favorite for this very reason. Let’s hope that we continue to see this career-best version of Taj Gibson for his entire Timberwolves tenure.

Home/Timberwolves News