The Timberwolves Need Dieng’s Aggression

During a win against the Suns, Gorgui Dieng was ejected after a confrontation with Devin Booker. Funnily enough, Dieng’s aggression may be just what the Minnesota Timberwolves need right now.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are at a crucial point in the season right now. At 23-24, the Timberwolves are 11th in the Western Conference, and one win away from getting their record back to .500. Much like last season, the Western Conference looks prepared to be a tight race to the finish — and the Wolves, two games back in the loss column from the eighth seed, may be right there on the precipice.

To get there, however, Minnesota may need an internal spark of some sort. Perhaps Gorgui Dieng’s altercation and ejection from a recent win over the Suns was that spark.

Dieng’s altercation with Devin Booker wasn’t the first time he’s let his angry side out on the court. According to reports, nothing came of it in the end, but both players were eager to meet each other in the tunnel after being ejected and one would assume it wasn’t just to “exchange jerseys” as Dieng joked afterward.

Dieng was at the center of another scuffle late last season when the Timberwolves faced the Rockets. While Gerald Green was more aggressive than Dieng, you can certainly see his anger towards Chris Paul.

While there’s no point in shoving and pushing, leading to fouls and ejections, Dieng’s aggression may be just what the Wolves need right now.

One thing the Timberwolves have seemed to lack on the court this season is heart. That may finally be changing now that Ryan Saunders is at the helm, but there have been occasions the team just simply seems to not care enough to play their best.

Gorgui Dieng’s aggression could steer that ship around. Dieng is the longest-tenured Wolf on the roster, and while others on the team have been in the NBA longer, Dieng has had the best chance to absorb Glen Taylor’s vision for the team. If Dieng can inspire the rest of the team to put their hearts into getting this team to the playoffs, then that should be an achievable goal.

As I mentioned earlier, the Wolves really aren’t that far back from the playoff picture, and with some winnable games against the LeBron James-less Lakers, Grizzlies, Magic, and Pelicans in the coming weeks, the Timberwolves may be able to push their way into the top eight.

Dieng needs to embrace his role as a veteran and lead the Wolves from the bench, inspiring them with his tenacity and spirit. With the team inflicted with a number of injuries, now is the time for Dieng to step up and fire up the energy on the court.

The Timberwolves are at a turning point in the season, and Gorgui Dieng can lift this team with his aggression.