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What will it take for the Jimmy Butler-less Timberwolves to make the playoffs?

By Adam Ziobrowski

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Tyus Jones #1, Andrew Wiggins #22 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Tyus Jones #1, Andrew Wiggins #22 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: Jamal Crawford #11 Tyus Jones #1 and Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves sit along the bench during warm ups prior to the game Indiana Pacers on December 31, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: Jamal Crawford #11 Tyus Jones #1 and Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves sit along the bench during warm ups prior to the game Indiana Pacers on December 31, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Bench players must step up

One of the notable stories from the Wolves season has been their lack of bench minutes. Tom Thibodeau needs to start plugging in his substitutes more and have trust in them.

The Wolves still rank dead-last in bench minutes per game at 13.4. You can look at the bench stats all you want and notice nothing special. However, keep in mind there isn’t much that can be done when playing 13 minutes per game.

Then consider the toll each starters legs have taken all season long. It’s understandable that they are relatively young, however, not everyone on the team is extremely youthful. A player like Gibson surely does not feel the same as a younger player like Towns after 35 minutes a night.

Here’s the catch: the Wolves clearly need their best five out there at a time at all times since the playoffs are no guarantee. However, how many times have we seen the Wolves up double-digits in the fourth and Thibs still rolls with the starters? These are the crucial moments in which starters should be taken out to save their legs.

There is one less man to use off the bench with Butler out obviously. However, Derrick Rose may be able to provide the Wolves with some more experience off the bench.

His words were encouraging when he called out his doubters over the weekend. Hopefully he can back it up with his on court play.

From Rose to Tyus Jones to Jamal Crawford and on, the bench players need to step up during every opportunity they get.

As for Thibs, he needs to take a step back during some moments of the game to save his starters.

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