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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 things to watch for in season opener

By Ben Beecken

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves tries to stop a pass from Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on January 30, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Timberwolves 109-104. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/ Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves tries to stop a pass from Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on January 30, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Timberwolves 109-104. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/ Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

All things Jimmy Butler

Unfortunately, we can’t ignore the fact that Jimmy Butler will be the center of attention come Wednesday night in San Antonio.

Butler had minor hand surgery this offseason and requested a trade. Between the two occurrences, Butler received the Wolves’ blessing to skip training camp and the preseason and has only practiced twice — last Wednesday and Sunday — with the team since April.

Butler won’t quite be in game shape, although hardly anyone is during the first couple of weeks of the season. Last year, Butler tied for the team lead with 35 minutes in the season opener, also against the Spurs in San Antonio. It would be a surprise to see him log much more than 30 minutes in this year’s opener, given that he hasn’t played in a real game in six months.

On the one hand, it would not be a surprise to see the chemistry between Butler and his teammates to be a bit off. Between not having played together at all this fall and the clear awkwardness surrounding Butler’s ongoing trade request, some issues are to be expected.

On the other side of things, Butler will want to prove a point and show other teams that he’s worth trading for — and it’s impossible to imaging Butler playing at anything less than 100 percent effort. (Owner Glen Taylor feels the same way.)

It’s a win-win for Butler, as if the team plays well then he can take credit for lighting a fire underneath them. If they struggle, it’s because they’re soft, or whatever the word of choice is.

At any rate, Butler’s performance will be examined closely in Wednesday’s opener.

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