Timberwolves Power Rankings: New faces and comeback wins

Analyzing the best and worst Minnesota Timberwolves performers in the latest edition of the weekly power rankings.

After a back-to-back set, a five-day break and a couple of game against the league’s heavyweights (thanks NBA…), we finally return with the weekly Timberwolves power rankings.

The week didn’t go as planned, with the Wolves finishing a underwhelming 2-3 over the stretch, boosting their overall record to 40-29 in a Western Conference playoff race that changes each and every night.

Minnesota started it off with a 108-99 loss to the surging Portland Trailblazers, a game where the Butler-less pups hit just four of their 20 3-point attempts. The next day was another West tilt, this time against the Utah Jazz. Minnesota hung around after both Karl-Anthony Towns and Jeff Teague were ejected, but came up short in a disappointing 116-108 road loss.

Here is Teague’s ejection, at the expense of former Wolf Ricky Rubio:

Rest assured that didn’t go down well with faithful Rubio lovers.

As metioned, the Timberwolves had five days to mull over their two failures but it was always going to be a tall task when they returned to the court against the Boston Celtics. Boston managed to hold down Towns and Andrew Wiggins, resulting in a fairly comfortable 117-109 victory.

That win marked the first time Minnesota has lost three consecutive games for the entire season, an impressive feat indeed.

They made sure the skid didn’t linger around much longer, producing one of the finest efforts of the season in a 109-103 win over the reigning champion Golden State Warriors. The Warriors were sans Stephen Curry, but overcoming a 39-point showing by Kevin Durant while bogging down Klay Thompson and Draymond Green should be commended.

Next up was another huge game in Washington against the Wizards, a game where the Timberwolves Eastern Conference woes seemed to rear their ugly head again before a fourth quarter showcase led to a 116-111 victory.

With this inconsistent four games in mind, let’s put each player under the microscope and see how they did…

*All players must play 15 total minutes. Weekly and season stats provided by NBA.com*

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.

7. Tyus Jones (7)

Season stats: 17.9 MPG – 5.0 PPG – 2.7 APG – 1.1 SPG – 46.7% FG – 34.3% 3PT – 90.3% FT

Weekly stats: 17.2 MPG – 6.8 PPG – 2.8 APG – 0.6 SPG – 56.5% FG – 16.7% 3PT – 100% FT

Gorgui Dieng may have been bad this power rankings stanza but Tyus Jones seventh-place is not indicative of the week he has had, it is merely a reflection of the impressive play of his teammates above him.

https://twitter.com/Patrick_Fenelon/status/973727214914154496

The point guard was put under the pump when head coach and president of basketball operations plucked Derrick Rose from the free agency pool, much to the dismay of many Minnesota fans and basketball fans as a whole. Jones responded well, however, showing his coach he truly is the number one backup guard in the Twin Cities.

Pre-Rose era, Jones posted just two points and two assists in the Portland loss but balled out in the dropped game in Utah, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 24 minutes. The 21-year-old followed that up with five points and two assists at Target Center in the Boston matchup.

With Rose now emblazoned in Timberwolves colors, Thibs unleashed his (ghastly) three-guard lineup of Jones-Rose-Crawford in the huge Golden State win. Although the former MVP didn’t have much success on the night, Tyus Stones finished with a solid eight points, two rebounds and two assists with a red-hot 80 percent true shooting percentage.

The final tilt of the week against the Wizards was another quietly effective game for the diminutive guard, posting eight points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals. The game was good enough for stubborn-at-times Thibodeau to stick with Jones down the stretch of an intense game.

He may have some new competition for his minutes,  but Tyus Jones spent the previous five games proving his true worth to the coaching staff.

6. Jamal Crawford (5)

Season stats: 19.8 MPG – 10.2 PPG – 2.3 APG – 0.5 SPG – 41.6% FG – 33.5% 3PT – 89.7% FT

Weekly stats: 25.5 MPG – 10.0 PPG – 2.6 APG – 0.6 SPG – 38.2% FG – 14.3% 3PT – 100% FT

After entering the power rankings starting five last time around, Jamal Crawford settles back in to his comfortable sixth man position in this edition.

Despite having one of his underwhelming shooting stretches, J-Crossover’s knack to get buckets when the Timberwolves’ bench badly needs one is an invaluable trait, especially with Jimmy Butler down and the rotation wearing thin.

The 37-year-old started out with 10 points and three rebounds in the disappointing Portland loss, although his shooting (5-13 FG, 0-6 3P) left a lot to be desired. As did his two-point, four-assist showing in Utah, shooting a shoddy 1-of-7 from the field.

Things improved from there, however, as Crawford began to find his rhythm more in the final three games. He posted 15 points and four assists (7-16 FG, 1-6 3P) against Boston, proving to be an important cog to a three-man bench unit that only managed 20 points.

The 17-year veteran will have his moments of mind boggling shot selection and questionable decisions, but his value comes in the shape of professional bench scoring – something the Wolves need, and badly. 

Oh yeah, and he does this:

Along with the dizzying handles that just about buried Swaggy P, Crawford posted 12 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal in the victory over the reigning champions, shooting a reputable 4-of-9 from the field.

J-Crossover finished the week with another solid showing in the nations capital, putting up 11 points and three assists in 28 minutes. Like Jones, Thibs allowed his veteran to help finish out an important win for the (hopefully) playoff-bound Timberwolves.

He will make you scratch your head or throw your arms up in disgust at times, but Jamal Crawford remains a vital piece of this Minnesota Timberwolves puzzle.

5. Taj Gibson (4)

Season stats: 33.7 MPG – 12.4 PPG – 7.2 RPG – 0.7 BPG – 58.3% FG – 21.9% 3PT – 75.8% FT

Weekly stats: 35.8 MPG – 12.0 PPG – 6.6 RPG – 0.4 BPG – 60.9% FG – 50% FT

Call him Mr. Clean, call him Mr. Consistency, call him whatever you desire. The fact is that even on his ‘down’ weeks where he slips in the rankings, Taj Gibson remains one of the most under-the-radar impact players league-wide.

With Butler down, Gibson has become the vocal and spiritual leader for Minnesota. His above average defense – which is rare in Wolves world – and his insane postup game allow him to make a huge mark on the game without stretching his capabilities too far.

The offense has been so efficient in fact, that the 32-year-old ranks as the best player in points per possession on post-up opportunities (1.12) and is shooting a career high 77.1 percent from between zero and three feet.

Hakeem Olajuwon would be proud.

This important stretch was more of the same, although his nine-point, four-rebound performance to start it off against the Trail Blazers was probably the low-light of the five-game span. Next up, Mr. Clean posted 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal in a solid all-around effort from a man whose previously mentioned impact doesn’t always show up in the box score.

The stat sheet prowess did show up in the loss against the Celtics however. Gibson dropped 18 points on a tasty 8-of-10 shooting and grabbing another four rebounds – making it three consecutive 4-rebound outings, a worrying trend the veteran would soon buck.

He collected 13 big rebounds to go along with his 11 points in a gritty win over Golden State, terrorising the Warriors big men time and time again on the low block:

Gibson’s 10 points and eight rebounds against the Wizards capped off another great week for the Timberwolves glue guy. Mr. Clean will need to continue to be his consistent self going forward if Minnesota are going to gain premium playoff position.

4. Jeff Teague (2)

Season stats: 33.0 MPG – 13.6 PPG – 6.9 APG – 1.5 SPG – 44.6% FG – 37.0% 3PT – 81.9% FT

Weekly stats: 31.4 MPG – 14.8 PPG – 6.0 APG – 1.8 SPG – 46.7% FG – 31.6% 3PT – 75% FT

After climbing all the way up to the second-place in the power rankings ladder last time around, Jeff Teague slips down to the fourth place after a week that was neither here nor there.

He chipped in 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals against the Blazers, but shot just 5-of-14 from the field in a game where the Timberwolves needed a more efficient offensive night from their point man.

Teague did show up offensively in the Utah tilt, scoring 25 points to go along with four rebounds and two assists, however he spoiled his great night with a brain fade that caused his ejection. The 29-year-old has been prone to these kinds of silly mistakes in the past and with Towns already thrown out of the game he needed to take a deep breath and move on, no matter the situation.

The veteran point guard netted 13 points with five rebounds and eight assists in the Celtics loss, and had a 10-point, 10-assist double-double – his eleventh for the season – against the Warriors sans Steph Curry.

He also brought the circus to town with this layup:

https://twitter.com/NBAUK/status/972921645378756608

His most complete effort of the five-game stretch arguably came to finish this week’s power rankings edition, posting 13 points on an effective 6-for-11 shooting with 5 assists, and one big, big strip and smash to bury the Wizards:

It wasn’t Jeff Teague’s best five games, but he has done enough to keep himself in the power rankings starting five and his team in the playoff picture. If he can ramp it up another gear to finish the season the Timberwolves will be in great shape.

3. Nemanja Bjelica (5)

Season stats: 18.6 MPG – 6.8 PPG – 3.8 RPG -1.2 APG – 48.8% FG – 43.9% 3PT – 83.8% FT

Weekly stats: 39.7 MPG – 15.4 PPG – 8.6 RPG – 2.8 APG – 50.9% FG – 48% 3PT – 87.5% FT

When Nemanja Bjelica returned from his mysterious mid-season foot injury looking as rusty as he ever had, not one of us would have thought he would be sitting on the power rankings top-three podium with 13 games remaining.

After a few games finding his feet in the starting lineup, the Serbian Sensation has begun to look right at home in his new role.

He posted eight points on an efficient 4-of-5 shooting with 12 rebounds against Portland and backed that up with 12 points and four rebounds in a whopping 45 minutes for a depleted Wolves lineup against the Jazz.

Then, the 29-year-old exploded into his Euroleague MVP days against the league’s best defensive team. Bjelica dropped a career-high 30 points on a stunning 11-of-16 shooting (6-9 from 3-point range) as well as 12 rebounds. Bjelica was throwing up  – and hitting – everything he looked at, something the Timberwolves fans have been pleading for the entire season.

Despite shooting just 4-for-12 against the Warriors, Bjelly filled the box score up with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and one game-sealing block in the final minute of an absolutely massive win:

He kept rolling against Washington with another 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists – including 13 fourth quarter points to close out another much needed Timberwolves win.

Bjelly has taken the chance to shine with both hands and sprinted with it, it’s exciting to think of what he can do when Jimmy Butler does come back in a few weeks.

2. Andrew Wiggins (3)

Season stats: 36.2 MPG – 17.9 PPG – 4.1 RPG – 1.8 APG – 44.2% FG – 32.5% 3PT – 63.9% FT

Weekly stats: 37.0 MPG – 20.0 PPG – 4.2 RPG – 2.4 APG – 43.3% FG – 39.1% 3PT – 68.4% FT

With the news coming out that he apparently isn’t happy with his role as the team’s third offensive option – which is debatable in itself – Andrew Wiggins did continue his impressive string of performances since Jimmy G. Buckets hurt himself.

Wiggins was solid in Portland, posting 20 points (7-20 FG, 2-5 3PT), five rebounds and three assists. He backed that up with 27 points (10-19 FG, 4-4 3PT) three boards and an assist against Utah, showing that willingness to get to the rim that so many fans have been crying out for all season.

When he gets ahead of steam going toward the rim, not even top tier rim protectors like Rudy Gobert can stop him:

https://twitter.com/ACBJV/status/969847235893702656

Maple Jordan went a frightening 6-for-21 from the field against Boston, he did chip in a pleasant seven rebounds and four assists to help his statline look a little prettier. He stepped it up against Golden State in the time when his team needed him most. He dropped 23 points, five rebounds and three assists on a sizzling 9-for-16 from the field.

That included playing some lockdown defense on Warriors flamethrower Klay Thompson:

The 23-year-old also passed Doug West in the Minnesota scoring ranks in the Warriors game; he now sits fourth overall in the franchise record books.

Wiggins chimed in with an inconspicuous 16 points against the Wizards, but once again it was his improving defense that stole the show, locking up both Bradley Beal and Otto Porter in the same play deep in a game with huge playoff ramifications – as every game does now:

With Butler out, it looks like Wiggins may be chomping at the bit to become the teams alpha male on both ends of the court. He still has one man standing in his way, however …

1. Karl-Anthony Towns

Season stats: 35.1 MPG – 20.5 PPG – 12.2 RPG – 1.4 BPG – 54.5% FG – 41.4% 3PT – 85.4% FT

Weekly stats: 34.5 MPG – 23.3 PPG – 12.0 RPG – 1.0 BPG – 54.1% FG – 44.4% 3PT – 79.3% FT

As Andrew Wiggins strives to become the team’s alpha male, Karl-Anthony Towns is continuously embodying it. The big man has shown the ability to take over the game in the fourth quarter lately, proving for the millionth time that this kid has every tool needed to be one the Timberwolves and NBA greats.

KAT started the week in fine fashion, putting up 34 points and 17 rebounds in a dominant display over the Blazers, even if it wasn’t enough to get the win this time. However he followed that up with 13 points, four rebounds and his first-ever ejection,. Not a great night.

His 15 points (5-12 FG), 11 rebounds and three assists against the Celtics wasn’t his best outin,g either, which isn’t surprising against a defensive master like Al Horford. Towns did have his moment however, throwing down this absolute thunderbolt on Boston big man Aron Baynes:

The 2018 All-Star spent the next two tilts going beserk. He put up 31 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and a steal against Golden State, giving reigning Defensive Player Of The Year Draymond Green fits for the entire night.

He then went to work in the nation’s capital, posting a season-high 37 points to go along with 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in a Wizards feasting. And just in case that wasn’t enough, Towns put the cherry on top of a fantastic power rankings stanza with this game-burying triple after getting Ian Mahinmi to fly by on the smooth pump-fake:

https://twitter.com/thedailywolf/status/973730846577512448

When Karl-Anthony Towns gets into full-throttle scoring mode, there is few if any players in the whole world who could keep up with him.

Strap yourself in Timberwolves fans.