Life without Jimmy: Playing big and scoring big
By Josh Bungum
Big lineups
The most noticeable change in the Timberwolves now that Butler is sidelined is the installation of Nemanja Bjelica into not only the starting lineup but also an exclusive role as the team’s full-time small forward. With this brings several strategic changes for coach Tom Thibodeau.
The most ostensible alteration when it comes to watching the Timberwolves now is how much taller the team is overall with Bjelica playing large chunks of games at the small forward position. For a player who has nearly exclusively played as the power forward for his entire career up to this point, it is a bold, yet forced, decision by Thibs to shift Bjelica into this role.
The Wolves now start games with Bjelica complimenting Taj Gibson and Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt, giving Minnesota three players over 6’9” on the floor at the same times to begin contests. The size and length is very perceptible as the Timberwolves typically have the height advantage at four positions when adding in Andrew Wiggins (6’8”) at the shooting guard.
This starting lineup, albeit in a very small sample size, has fared well thus far on the season, posting a net rating of +9.9. The more visible positive that this lineup gives the team with its size is an eye-popping rebound percentage of 58% (for perspective, the Philadelphia 76ers lead the NBA in rebound percentage at 52.7%). When combining this positive trend with the ability to get hands in passing lanes and create deflections with all of their length, there is a potential path to continued success.
Moving away from the starting lineup, Bjelica also will see his minutes increase at the small forward position with Gorgui Dieng usually replacing Gibson in the lineup. When Bjelica plays the three position alongside Dieng and Towns, the team’s rebounding percentage sits at a still-impressive 54.2.
It will be of vital importance for the Wolves to play to these strengths and limit opposing teams offensive rebounds as well as using their size to outmatch other teams and crash the glass after missed shots. Using their temporary increase in length to pester passing lanes, contest shots and create deflections will likely be a key factor in maintaining a top-4 seed in the West with Butler sidelined.