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Minnesota Timberwolves Who’s Up and Who’s Down a review of Tom Thibodeau and bench players

By Ken Bradley

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Butler #23, Tyus Jones #1, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate on the bench against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Butler #23, Tyus Jones #1, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate on the bench against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 11: Gorgui Dieng Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 11: Gorgui Dieng Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Gorgui Dieng

Gorgui Dieng Minutes 25.2 17.5 DOWN
Center Points 8.5 6.4 DOWN
28 Years Old Assists 1.5 1.0 DOWN
5th season Rebounds 6.8 4.5 DOWN
Overal Grade DOWN

Gorgui Dieng is wrapping up his fifth season with the Timberwolves and it’s fair to conclude it’s not been his most rewarding season. He’s entering the first year of a four-year, $64 million contract – $16 million-per-season. He’s paid a respectable salary for a starter or significant bench player but hasn’t performed worthy of such a contract.

His minutes are down and he only played fewer minutes his rookie season (13.6) then this past season (17.5). He’s playing almost fifteen fewer minutes this year than last year when he was in the starting lineup.

The number of points he scored is lower than every season besides his rookie year. His reduction in minutes would seem like the obvious reason for his reduction in scoring. However, his field goal percentage has never been this low. His three-point percentage has only been lower his second season. His free-throw percentages are lower than every season besides his rookie year.

Dieng has seemed unfocused and hasn’t performed at a high level most nights on the court and thus get’s a DOWN grade.

Dieng’s Real Plus-Minus ranking is 68th in the NBA for Centers while Karl Anthony Towns is ranked 5th. Gorgui Dieng was ranked 8th in Real Plus-Minus for centers last season which demonstrates how far he’s fallen.

His struggles may be the result of the changing NBA game (small ball) where traditional big men are having a difficult time being relevant when their footwork and speed can’t keep up on the defensive and offensive side. The NBA didn’t’ start playing more small ball this season which means part of the decline is a result of Dieng’s own work and coaching.

If Dieng was performing close to the last several seasons, it’s likely the Twolves would be in a firm grip of the third seed in Western Conference and have several more victories under their belts.

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