Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Timberwolves Power Rankings: New faces and comeback wins

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 15: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shake hands during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 15, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 15: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shake hands during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 15, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 9
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 8: Taj Gibson #67 and Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 8: Taj Gibson #67 and Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talk during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

8. Gorgui Dieng (8)

Season stats: 17.4 MPG – 6.0 PPG – 4.6 RPG – 0.5 BPG – 47.6% FG – 27.1% 3PT – 77.4% FT

Weekly stats: 14.7 MPG – 2.8 PPG – 3.8 RPG – 0.2 BPG – 27.8% FG – 80% FT

In the first year of his four-year, $64 million contract, Gorgui Dieng has struggled to find his rhythm as much as anyone on Minnesota’s roster, resulting in another cella- dwelling power rankings outing.

G-Train has struggled mightily of late and his once praised help defense and mid-range shooting have somehow become another deficiency in his game, and quickly too.

The Senegalese giant with a stinker, dropping just two points (1-4 FG), collecting five rebounds andfour personal fouls in the loss against Portland. He backed that up with six points on another poultry 2-for-6 shooting performance along with fuor rebounds in Utah.

These disappearing acts are happening far too often for Dieng, who was projected to be one of, if not the most prolific bench-scorer on the team this season.

Things didn’t get any better for the big man as the power rankings week progressed. He was held scoreless in the Boston failure, although his seven rebounds were handy.

As was this block on Greg Monroe that had the Target Center crowd jumping:

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/971925632060833793

With the Warriors in town next, Dieng was unable to capitalize on a brilliant opportunity to regain some momentum against the reigning champs. He posted just two points (1-4 FG) and a single rebound while being held to just nine minutes of game time. That is probably mostly due to the fact the Timberwolves were outscored by nine points when Iron G was on the court.

Dieng’s dropping minutes wasn’t an anomaly, however, as he received even less game time in the Wizards tilt. The reserve played just seven minutes and 35 seconds on the night, posting four points and two rebounds.

The form skid has well and truly reached rock bottom for Gorgui Dieng, who is now looking on the outer of coach Tom Thibodeau’s notoriously strict rotations.

With Derrick Rose incoming in the power rankings, Dieng may have some competition for the last power rankings position, but it would be nice to see G-train get going and ascend up the ladder.

Home/Timberwolves News