Timberwolves Power Rankings: Wolves hit rough patch

Analyzing the best performers, the worst outings and everything in between over the last seven days of Minnesota Timberwolves basketball for this week’s player power rankings.

Despite Jimmy Butler returning mid-week from the knee soreness that had kept him out for the majority of our last power rankings week, the Minnesota Timberwolves as a whole hobbled through a disastrous week over the past five games.

In a frantically scheduled week, the Wolves endured two separate back-to-backs with a game sandwiched in between, ending the power rankings week with a 1-4 record heading into what was a win over the Bucks on Thursday. The below-par week had Minnesota sitting at 32-22 for the season, still just  fending off the Oklahoma City Thunder for the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

The week started out in Jimmy Butler-less and lifeless, as the Wolves fell 123-114 to the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland caught fire from beyond the 3-point arc, nailing 17 of their 31 attempts on the night.

Next up was undoubtedly the NBA’s cruelest mission, playing the Golden State Warriors, on a back-to-back, without your team’s best player. It’s safe to say not many fans were holding their breath for a Timberwolves win in this one.

The Timberwolves hung around with the reigning champs, but once again fell to a barrage of 3-pointers. The game finished with 126-113 final.

The Brooklyn Nets matchup that followed the Golden State horror show was the only respite for the week. The Timberwolves finally kept their opponents quiet from 3-point land (9-for-30), leading to a comfortable 111-97 victory.

Despite the Atlanta Hawks being a woeful 14-35 coming in to their home stanza against Minnesota, the Wolves still couldn’t break out of their slump. They held a 10-point lead at one stage before eventually falling 105-100 in to the Hawks.

The week had begun to feel a lot like this Gorgui Dieng block would have felt for DeMar DeRozan; Hopeful at the start, but disappointing in the end. It didn’t get any better, either.

Finishing the power rankings week against an elite Toronto Raptors team on the back end of a back-to-back was never going to be an easy task, and despite leading for majority of the game the Timberwolves looked gassed to finish the game. They lost, 109-104, to cap off a bitter week.

Let’s take a look at who helped keep the ship afloat and who was culpable for sinking it.

*All players must play 15 total minutes to qualify. Season and weekly stats provided by NBA.com*

10. Marcus Georges-Hunt (8)

Season stats: 5.9 MPG – 1.3 PPG – 0.5 RPG – 0.2 APG – 39% FG – 21.4% 3PT – 50% FT

Weekly stats: 9.3 MPG – 0.00 PPG – 0.3 RPG – 0.3 APG

It was a strange week for Timberwolves role player Marcus Georges-Hunt.

The 23-year-old played meaningful rotational minutes (19 and 10) over the first two games of the power rankings week against Portland and Golden State, but failed to make much of an impact.

MGH didn’t score a single point over the two-game span, missing all three of his shots and adding just one rebound and one assist. Georges-Hunt wasn’t even his savvy defensive self over the first two games, posting a frightening 112.1 Defensive Rating.

With Jimmy Butler returning in the Brooklyn win, the undrafted product out of Georgia Tech returned to his usual limited minute bench role in the next two outings, playing a tick over seven minutes combined. Georges-Hunt again failed to impress, missing both his field goals and contributing no other stats over the Nets and Atlanta match-ups.

Whether it was his below-par form, coach Thibodeau wanting to showcase Shabazz Muhammad for a few minutes or a mixture of both, MGH watched the entirety of the final game of the week against Toronto from the pine.

It will be interesting to see if Thibs goes back to his defensive minded man in Marcus Georges-Hunt or decides to continue trying other options.

9. Tyus Jones (7)

Season stats: 18.3 MPG – 4.9 PPG – 2.7 APG – 1.1 SPG – 45.5% FG – 35.4% 3PT – 87.8% FT

Weekly stats: 17.5 MPG – 4.8 PPG – 2.8 APG – 0.6 SPG – 42.9% FG – 20% 3PT – 83.3% FT

From regular power rankings sixth man to sitting just one place from the bottom of the rankings. Tyus Jones can blame his Wolves bench counterparts improved play for his drop, rather than any backslide in his own play.

This week was another consistent, yet unspectacular one for the 21-year-old. He started off the week with six points and five assists against the Trailblazers, though he did go an inefficient 2-of-7 from the field which is strange for the point guard who is usually known for his wise shot selection.

Jones had a quiet outing stats wise in his 12 minutes against the Golden State Warriors, posting just two points, one assist and a steal. The Timberwolves were two points better than the Warriors when Tyus Stones was on the court, for what it’s worth.

The highlight of the week for the Minnesota native came in the Timberwolves lone win over the Brooklyn Nets. Jones put up 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3PT) and five assists. With Jeff Teague battling nagging injuries in the ankle and wrist, Tyus was asked to step up over the final stretch of the game.

He stepped up big time with some timely baskets and his usual immense basketball IQ to lead the Wolves to an important win.

Jones, like most of his squad, had a forgettable one against the Hawks, posting just one assist for the game and missing all four of his shot attempts. Finishing a -10 for the game in the plus-minus category, Jones was a tentative 1-for-1 from the field for three points against the Raptors, capping off a mediocre week for him outside of the Brooklyn game.

Tyus Jones dropping in the power rankings isn’t a horrible sign however, as the increased production of other bench members is critical for Minnesota.

8. Jeff Teague (5)

Season stats: 33.3 MPG – 13.0 PPG – 6.9 APG – 1.5 SPG – 42.7% FG – 35.3% 3PT – 80.9% FT

Weekly stats: 30.5 MPG – 10.0 PPG – 5.6 APG – 1.8 SPG – 35.3% FG – 28.6% 3PT – 80% FT

After being a regular in the power rankings starting five throughout the season, Jeff Teague plummets down the ladder this week after a stint of unimpressive outings.

Since returning from his knee sprain, the 29-year-old has struggled to get it going consistently on both ends of the floor, and his field goal percentage continues to tank as he tries to recapture his rhythm and flow in the Minnesota offense.

Over the first two games of the week against Portland and Golden State, Teague looked like he may be breaking out of his slump. The point man averaged 16 points and five assists over the course of the Western Conference match-ups, but his shooting still trailed behind (11-for-26 FG).

For the rest of the power rankings stanza, the $19-million-man’s game became that of a minimum contract player.

Teague put up 18 points and 18 assists combined in the three games, but his ghastly shooting numbers and constant brain fades caused Timberwolves fans all sorts of headaches in the process. The bad play culminated in an absolute horror show against his former team in Atlanta.

To go along with his two points on 1-of-12 shooting, Teague had a couple of terrible late turnovers which included a five-second violation with 14.5 seconds remaining on a potential go-ahead play.

The calls for Jeff Teague to be replaced by Tyus Jones in the starting lineup are getting more deafening by the day, with Jones trailing by one place in the power rankings we aren’t at that stage yet.

But, unfortunately for Teague, we are getting there.

7. Nemanja Bjelica (6)

Season stats: 15.8 MPG – 6.0 PPG – 3.1 RPG – 0.6 SPG – 49.7% FG – 44.7% 3PT – 84% FT

Weekly stats: 24.0 MPG – 6.4 PPG – 5.0 RPG – 1.4 SPG – 46.2% FG – 50% 3PT – 100% FT

After a mid-foot injury seemed like it could derail the efficient season Nemanja Bjelica had put together prior, the big Serbian has bounced back lately to prove he is still the most deadly 3-point threat for the Timberwolves.

When Bjelly returned from injury he looked rigid and reluctant to fire from distance like he did earlier in the season, but lately the quick trigger has come back. Professor Big Shots knocked down six of his 12 3-point attempts this power rankings week, regaining his status as an elite long-range bomber.

Bjelica buried a triple in all but one game this week – which happened to be the win over Brooklyn – and proved over the Butler-less games that he is a capable starter at either the small forward or power forward position.

Starting in Jimmy G. Buckets’ place in the first two outings of the week, he posted nine points, seven rebounds and two steals against the Blazers and backed that up with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in Oakland against the reigning champions.

Bjelica returned to his usual backup role from the Nets game onward, averaging 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds over the final three games, including grabbing a steal in each of the outings.

The big man hasn’t always shown a penchant to rack up steals, but his hands were as quick as ever this week. Steals are even more important when they lead to easy buckets, and with Bjelly’s ability to run the floor and dish out passes his recent thievery is good news for Timberwolves fans.

Let’s hope Nemanja Bjelica can keep up his 3-point mastery and newfound defensive exploits moving forward.

6. Gorgui Dieng (9)

Season stats: 18.0 MPG – 6.6 PPG – 4.6 RPG – 0.5 BPG – 50.6% FG – 29.5% 3PT – 76.9% FT

Weekly stats: 15.8 MPG – 8.8 PPG – 3.4 RPG – 0.6 BPG – 64.3% FG – 88.9% FT

For the first time in the 2017-18 season, Gorgui Dieng has moved into the sixth-man slot in our weekly power rankings.

The 6-foot-11 reserve has finally kicked up his scoring and shot-blocking of late after struggling early in the season. Dieng was expected to be a high-caliber bench player when Taj Gibson signed, but it has taken him a while to get the hang of life playing under 20 minutes per game.

This power rankings week was different, however.

G-Train hit three of this four field goal attempts en route to six points, five rebounds, two steals and a block against Portland, backing that up the next night with nine points, four rebounds and a steal in the commendable loss against the Golden State Warriors.

Dieng had a quiet four points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal in the Nets victory. Although the three assists is the most the Senegalese giant has had since December 23 against the Suns when he also racked up three in a Wolves win.

Over the final two games of the power rankings week, the G-Train steamed to a whole new pace. He put up 11 points and three rebounds in the heartbreaking loss to Atlanta, nailing 5-of-7 from the field before draining 14 points (all in the first half) and two blocks in the Raptors failure.

Dieng has become deadlier than ever from the dreaded ‘long two’ zone, making a shot that is usually taboo to efficient offense into a shot that constantly keeps defenses honest. According to NBA/stats, the big man is shooting a blistering 51.8 percent on non-paint 2-pointers.

Gorgui Dieng has finally got the level that we as fans expected at the start of the season, let’s hope he can stay at that level.

5. Jamal Crawford (10)

Season stats: 18.9 MPG – 9.9 PPG – 2.4 APG – 0.5 SPG – 42.1% FG – 33.9% 3PT – 89% FT

Weekly stats: 20.1 MPG – 14.0 PPG – 2.6 APG – 0.4 SPG – 51.9% FG – 37.5% 3PT- 90.9% FT

Some weeks you get an ice cold version of Jamal Crawford, and at 37 years of age down nights are forgivable. This week was anything but cold, however, as J-Crossover went into vintage scoring mode.

The man known as Forever 21 started the week with 19 points and five assists, shooting a scorching 7-of-10 from the field. This game seemed to kick start Crawford as he caught fire again against Golden State dropping 21 points, three rebounds and another five assists, leading the bench in what was a pretty average night for the Timberwolves.

J-Crossover kept the hot streak going in the lone win of the power rankings week, posting 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting against the Brooklyn Nets which included 2-for-4 from beyond the arc.

He also happened to hit one of them from Duluth.

The double-digit scoring bonanza continued for Crawford against Atlanta, burying 10 points on 3-of-7 from the field. The week finished quietly for the veteran with just four points and two assists in the Raptors loss, but the damage was well and truly done and this red-hot J-Crossover week deserved a hefty power rankings rise.

Crawford was money on his signature mid-range pull-up jumper over the past five games, according to NBA stats he nailed 63.2 percent of his jump shots between 15-19 feet in that span.

After a toe sprain saw him fall to his lowest ranking of the season, Jamal Crawford certainly regained his health and confidence this week.

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.

3. Andrew Wiggins (2)

Season stats: 36.1 MPG – 18.1 PPG – 4.2 RPG – 1.9 APG – 43.8% FG – 32.2% 3PT – 63.6% FT

Weekly stats: 35.7 MPG – 17.6 PPG – 4.4 RPG – 2.4 APG – 42.9% FG – 26.3% 3PT – 62.5% FT

After his out-of-this-planet power rankings week last time around, Andrew Wiggins came back to earth this week. He wasn’t bad by any means, but it was always going to be a tough task to maintain his scoring exploits when Jimmy Butler returned.

Butler didn’t play in the first two games, however, and Maple Jordan showed a couple of different versions of himself in the All-Star’s absence.

The 22-year-old posted an impressive 24 points, two rebounds and two assists in the Blazers loss, hitting 11-of-17 from the field and looking like the Andrew Wiggins Timberwolves fans had gotten used to seeing at times in his first three seasons. He backed that up with a stinker at Golden State, hitting a ghastly 4-of-18 from the field for his 10 points. He did add four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.

Scoring is what Wiggins does best, and he bounced back in to that mode in the Nets win, dropping 21 points, five rebounds and two assists on a night where he and Jimmy Butler terrorized Brooklyn’s perimeter defenders.

Wiggins slid back in to his third-fiddle role for the final two games, netting 16.5 points over the that span. He did average an impressive 5.5 rebounds, which will excite fans who have called for Wiggins to improve his work on the glass.

Wiggins was beneath Taj Gibson for a good portion of this season, so it is good to see our $148 million man moving back in to his rightful third place in the power rankings.

2. Karl-Anthony Towns (1)

Season stats: 35.3 MPG – 19.8 PPG – 12.1 RPG – 1.5 BPG – 53.9% FG – 40.1% 3PT – 84.1% FT

Weekly stats: 32.1 MPG – 17.8 PPG – 12.4 RPG – 0.8 BPG – 56.3% FG – 26.7% 3PT – 86.7% FT

After failing to put up over 10 field goal attempts (FGA) in three of the five power rankings games, Karl-Anthony Towns slips out of the poll position this week.

Take away the Golden State Warriors game and KAT averaged just 15 points this week on 10 FGA, despite shooting a blistering 26-for-40 from the field over that span. The first time All-Star struggled mightily to find his scoring positions, which Jeff Teague, Jimmy Butler, Coach Thibs and Towns himself can all share the blame for.

Thibodeau didn’t run KAT many plays, Teague and Butler failed to find him when they did run plays for Towns, and the big man himself didn’t work hard enough to get himself in premium scoring position, be it down low or on the 3-point line.

Towns’ season has still been far from a disappointment however:

The 22-year-old showed his scoring prowess just once this week, but in the game against Golden State he was a terrifying sight for any Warriors defender. Towns put up 31 points, 11 rebounds and five assists on the night, showing everybody that he certainly has the ability to dominate offensively on any given night.

When KAT grabbed his 10th rebound in the final game of the power rankings week against the Raptors, it gave the big man his league-leading 45th double-double — 45 in  just 54 games. Crazy stuff from Towns, who has quickly become one of the league’s best rebounders.

It may have been a quiet scoring week by Karl-Anthony Towns’ lofty standards, but it was enough to keep him in the top two Timberwolves performers this power rankings stanza.

1. Jimmy Butler (3)

Season stats: 36.9 MPG – 21.8 PPG – 5.4 RPG – 5.0 APG – 47.4% FG – 35.9% 3PT – 86.6% FT

Weekly stats: 36.6 MPG – 23.3 PPG – 6.0 RPG – 4.7 APG – 43.5% FG – 44.4% 3PT – 86.7% FT

Despite missing the first two outings of the week, Jimmy Butler returned to his usual rankings-leading programming when he made his return to the court against the Brooklyn Nets.

Jimmy G. was missing his usual bucket-getting efficiency in his first game back, shooting just 4-of-14 from the field on the night, though his tendency to live at the free throw line was present as usual as he went 12-for-14 from the line to finish with 21 points. Butler also chipped in six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block to round out a pretty nice box score for the now- four-time All-Star.

This clip shows just how much hustle, heart and basketball IQ the 28-year-old possesses:

Despite the two losses to end the power rankings week, Jimmy G. Buckets was back to his best. He dropped 27 points, seven rebounds and three assists against the Hawks before having 25 points, five rebounds and six assists in the Toronto loss.

Butler continues to be the best Timberwolves player most every night he suits up and it has been a blessing for Wolves and NBA fans alike to watch every single night.

Next: Wolves have a favorable pre-ASG schedule...

Join us next week to find out if Butler can hold his spot!