Minnesota Timberwolves Who’s Up and Who’s Down a review of Tom Thibodeau and bench players
By Ken Bradley
Conclusion
Tom Thibodeau’s starters are logging the most minutes of any team in the league which has been discussed at nausea by various publications. For the most part, those starters are the reason the Wolves will reach the playoffs this season.
Jamal Crawford has been the most reliable bench player but is no longer one fo the top 6th men in the league. Tyus Jones has proved many doubters wrong, including myself by improving defensively and demonstrating he an asset not a liability on the floor.
Gorgui Dieng has been a disappointment which is too bad because he’s a player fans want to love. Nemanja Bjelica has improved his shooting efficiency and holds his own on the defensive side of the court, it’s his inability to stay healthy that raises concerns. Aaron Brooks is keeping a seat warming and to be used in case of an emergency.
Shabazz Muhammad and Cole Aldrich’s bags are packed and if they are lucky they’ll land with another NBA team, if not, they’ll move on to other ventures after making millions in the NBA.
The benches overall grade is DOWN and President of Basketball Operations Tom Thibodeau and Coach each take part of the blame, but it’s also a reflection of where the team is in it’s building process.
In a previous article, I stated Thibs was going to need to ride his starters to the playoffs then hope the success they have helps him to recruit better supporting cast. That’s still true, and it’s hard to believe the Twolves won’t have another very active offseason.
Why didn’t’ Thibodeau address the bench more during the previous offseason?
First, he did make a significant number of moves, trading for Jimmy Butler, picking up Taj Gibson, Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford, Marcus George-Hunt, Aaron Brooks and bring back Shabazz Muhammad. Justin Patton, Amile Jefferson, and Anthony Brown are also young faces added to be developed in the G League. Twolves roster had some of the most significant changes in team history and it’s amazing all these new faces have gelled as well as they have. Second, he likely did try to make some other moves but wasn’t either able to make the trade he wanted or free agents simply weren’t confident in the team or willing to take the salary offered.
Players now maybe attracted to coming to a Timberwolves team that is poised to compete deep in the playoffs. Quality NBA players may be concerned if they join the Wolves they won’t see many minutes on the court based on Tom Thibodeau’s past usage of bench players.
The Timberwolves have become a very good NBA team but they don’t yet have enough talent to be an elite team. Elite teams less often need to win games with last-minute shots. Elite team starters more often watch the majority of the fourth quarter sitting on the bench.
Next: Grading the Timberwolves at the All-Star break
Tom Thibodeau will need to rely on his starters and few bench players the rest of the season. He’ll have to persuade top talent based on the Twolves record and reassuring them minutes will be available to join the team during the offseason.