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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: Nemanja Bjelica Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 11: Nemanja Bjelica Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Nemanja Bjelica.

Nemanja Bjelica Minutes 17.5 15.6 DOWN
Power Forward Points 5.7 5.7 UP
29 Years Old Assists 1.2 0.9 DOWN
3rd season Rebounds 3.5 3.1 DOWN
Overall Grade EVEN

At 29-years old, Nemanja Bjelica is completing his third season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Serbian-born Bjelica had a successful career overseas prior to joining the Timberwolves and was EuroLeague MVP in 2015.

His minutes are lowest since coming to the NBA where versatile big men with an outside shoot tend to see more minutes.

He’s scoring is par with his career average which is a highlight because his minutes are down. He started the season shooting hot from three-point range.  He’s still shooting career highs in field-goal percentage (.488), three-point shooting (.433) and free-throw percentage (.852) but his numbers aren’t as high as his first month this season.

His assists and rebounds are down, yet the reduction correlates with his minute reduction.

Bjelica’s Real Plus-Minus ranking is ranked 19th for Power Forwards this season and Taj Gibson is ranked 33rd. He was ranked 20th last season in Real Plus-Minus ranking and thus staying about even which speaks to his overall value.

His overall grade is equally EVEN, which is based on one primary factor.

Belly had a foot sprain the end of November which resulted in him missing a month of playing time. He’s never played an entire season which his lack of durability should be a significant concern.

Professor Big Shot didn’t start the season off playing significant minutes, he averaged below career average his first several months. He missed 15 games at the end of last season because of a foot injury and it’ appears trainers and coaches tried to ease him back into playing time this season.

Nemanja Bjelica physical size, outside shooting prowess fits perfectly into the modern NBA game, it’s his inability to stay healthy clouds the most important stat-line – minutes played which would give his teammates some needed rest.

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