Dunking With Wolves
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What the absence of Jimmy Butler has shown Minnesota

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 28: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 28: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 23: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles down the court in the first quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2018 in New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 23: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles down the court in the first quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2018 in New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Bjelica should be in a sixth man role

When Jimmy Butler hit the ground on that fateful night in Houston, the whole of Minnesota knew that Nemanja Bjelica would have to bring the best version of himself every night until their four-time All-Star returned.

While it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the 29-year-old Serbian, he has shown in his 16 straight starts that he deserves to be playing 25+ minutes when the rotation changes in the coming games.

The combo forward has been a 3-point threat all season, and it was no different in a starting role. His 44 percent long range stroke before the Jimmy G injury was never going to hold up with increased volume, but Bjelica’s 41.5 percent clip is pretty respectable.

As is the 10.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals, Bjelica has put up in the most important 16 games of the season so far.

Along with the flamethrower-like shooting, Bjelly ripped down boards at the small forward position brilliantly – thanks to his 6-foot-10 frame – he also moved drive-and-kick passes to the corner well and defended at a level few knew he could.

Who could forget when Bjelica stuffed this Quinn Cook late-game layup back down the Golden State Warriors guard’s throat:

The only problem with this recent run of form for the restricted free agent is that he may have played his way out of the Timberwolves price range when summer rolls around.

Despite that, Minnesota has him for now and they must make the most of his red-hot shooting and budding all-around game in an enlarged bench role when Jimmy Butler makes his way back to the NBA court.

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