The Minnesota Timberwolves have played 28 NBA season in the franchise history. They’ve been to the playoffs 8 times, consecutively, during the Garnett-Saunders era, losing in the first round 7 times before getting to the West finals in 2004. Since then, in thirteen seasons, city of Minneapolis have seen zero postseason games. Zilch, zip, nada. Nine head coaching changes couldn’t produce the desired effect, and most times, the Wolves haven’t even been close. Tom Thibodeau is the tenth.
In November of 2016, Tom Thibodeau, serving in a dual role of head coach and the director of basketball operations that gives him full control over the franchise course in the next couple of seasons, preached patience. He came to control of one of the most talented Wolves teams with two number one picks, but looked to keep calm and focus on the future beyond the immediate, looking to establish the Wolves team as a perennial playoff team. If you ever heard the man lead his team from the sidelines, losing his voice in the process, keeping calm is not something that feels natural to his personality. Even if you attribute that statement to the regular media stuff from a new man in charge, it’s hard to forget how genuinely excited Tom Thibodeau sounded to deal with something new, in a fresh way.
That was 9 months ago. A new baby was born in the meantime.
The Good
Tom Thibodeau has never been known as a sentimental coach. He’ll use the tools he needs to in order to get the job done, and getting Minnesota into the playoffs soon has to be high on the priority list. During his Chicago days, he would play his best guys 40 minutes per game with no second guessing. He felt it was necessary. While some of the players were unhappy about the tight regime, he wasn’t apologetic about the relationship either. As soon as he left the Windy City, the Bulls decay started and they are now at the bottom of the league, rebuilding again. On the other side, hardworking players whom he had helped shape as players and persons fondly speak of Thibs time, and a pair will get an opportunity to reunite with him in Minnesota.
Running the team from the bench is quite different job than forming the team from the big office. This summer is Thibodeau’s first real challenge in this regard, and he already proved that he’s not shy. He acquired one of the most targeted players this offseason, Jimmy Butler, via a draft day trade. It was a great start to the offseason. The Wolves were solid, but six or seven deep, so they figured to play a filler’s role, strengthening their bench. Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t not settle for that and pulled the big move to bolster the starting unit by replacing LaVine with Butler. LaVine was a fan favorite due to his athletic abilities and energizing play, but couldn’t find enough consistency and his high agility often turned into hectic, out of control performances. He’s also injured and in the last year of his contract, so the timing was perfect as well. Dunn was also sent to Chicago as the part of the trade, but it’s a small price that had to be paid.
Jimmy Butler brings more than just a familiarity with his head coach. He won’t get you three pointers. Everything else – just name it. Probably the most significant Butler’s impact should be on the defensive end, where the Wolves need a culture change. His toughness and his character are perfect to pull a couple of new teammates to buy in. The Timberwolves were third worst team in the league in opponents field goal percentage and 27th in defensive rating. This, with a coach who takes pride in defense. Acquiring Butler alone would help them jump at least five of six spots on those leaderboards.
But Tom Thibodeau wasn’t done. The Wolves still need to improve their depth, but there’s where the rainbows and the fanfares slowly turn to a murky sky and disharmonious rumble.
The Bad
Patience. Something new.
After scoring in the Butler trade, Tom Thibodeau had still had plenty of work to do. But instead of triumphantly add to the coup, he refused to follow the script. Taking chances too often means you’ll get burned here and there. Inflicting such wound to yourself is not commendable.
OK, I get it. He didn’t feel comfortable with Wolves offense being run by Ricky Rubio. The Spaniard is a great passer and will always get you an extra pair of possession with his quick hands, but is an unreliable defender, injury prone and is an abysmal shooter. Yes, all players have flaws and strong points, and Rubio’s among the most polarizing players in the league. He was rumored to be on the trading block for quite a while, so Thibs was clearly looking for a change. The change was also inspired but the point guard’s free spirited play – Tom Thibodeau obviously stopped enjoying ‘something new’ and turned back to good old structure he’s very keen on. That must have been it, or it would be hard to explain why he would trade away Rubio to the Jazz for a future pick only to sign Jeff Teague.
Teague’s among the worst defenders at the position, and often plays without any motivation on that side on the floor and while a more capable scorer, his outside shooting is well below standard. He’s not a big driver not passer, merely a capable one. While he may bit a bit more durable, Teague is also 2 years older and the 3-year deal looks like a rental. While Rubio probably wouldn’t work all that well with Butler, it was a bad decision to go with Teague instead.
The move also shows willingness to win now, contrary to the patience approach that would allow them to build a championship team. Perhaps Thibodeau was urged to get the fans excited again, as the Wolves attracted second smallest crowds past season, a part of why they would have trouble winning games in Minny.
Urged or hurried, it’s still not an alibi for compounding his mistake in building the roster for the next season.
The Ugly
I love Taj Gibson’s game. He was instrumental in Bulls success over the years despite coming in from the bench in most games. Thibodeau obviously holds him in high regard as well, as he offered him a large two year contract – Gibson will get $28M to act as the first big man of the bench for the Wolves in the next two seasons. It’s not an ugly contract per se. The Wolves overpaid for sure, but Gibson’s contribution can’t always be easily quantified – he thrives doing all the work behind the scenes: box out, help on D, set good screens. Also, it’s only for a couple of years, so the Wolves should have enough financial flexibility when Towns and Wiggins start sending their agents.
That said, giving most of the cap space to a reserve forward who can’t stretch the floor, much alike their starting PF Dieng, is an ignorant way to counter the league current trend. Tom Thibodeau can’t seriously think that the three pointer is going to go away any time soon. Gibson’s attributes, good as they come, were not required by Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves were dead last in three point attempts and makes, despite their center having the range to shoot from the beyond the arc. And it’s not just bringing in a three point specialist at the end of the transfer frenzy – the players who are going to actually play big minutes for the Wolves can’t hit and won’t shoot the highest valued shot in basketball. With such a talented roster, it’s almost a blasphemy.
And if it is a part of Tom Thibodeau plan, it’s clearly a signal that the Wolves, having not one, but two generational players, aren’t going after the big prize. They will settle for half decade of relevancy, get to the playoffs and get ousted quickly. It’s a joy for the fans compared to the years of winning 30 games, unless you remember that such a small team mentality played major role in Garnett’s decision to leave. The same fate is waiting the Wolves if they don’t open their jaws wide open and try to swallow the entire NBA.
