The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Taj Gibson during 2017 NBA free agency. Here we look at what the Timberwolves should expect from the new forward.
The events that took place during the 2017-18 offseason are exactly what the Minnesota Timberwolves need to finally start winning games. Their new roster is greatly improved and a playoff team on paper. Taj Gibson is one of the new faces on the Timberwolves. In this article we cover a little history of Gibson and set five goals for him next season.
Gibson is a new player to the Timberwolves but not entirely new to this team. He reunites with former head coach Tom Thibodeau and teammate Jimmy Butler. The trio spent five seasons together with the Chicago Bulls so they know each other very well. During those five seasons they had a combined record of 255-139.
The Timberwolves’ defense gets an instant upgrade with Gibson on the team. In addition to being an elite defender, he is a good rebounder and consistent scorer. During his career he has averaged 9.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
Taj Gibson is excited to be in Minnesota. He said the following at a press conference when he was introduced.
"“I’ve been lucky enough to play in some organizations that understand winning. You come in here with a coach that understands winning, a franchise that wants to win and a great fan base that sells out the arena. I think there is something special here, I really do believe it.”"
The Timberwolves are ready to win and in order to do that they need players like Taj Gibson to be at their best next season and play their role. Here are five goals for Taj Gibson that will help the Timberwolves win next season.
5. Average 12 points per game
The Wolves have a lot of talent on the offensive end so they do not need a whole lot from Gibson offensively. The biggest thing is to provide reliability on the offensive end. If he averages around 12 points every game the other team will have to respect his offensive game and he will take a little pressure off of Karl-Anthony Towns down low.
His career high was during the 2013-14 season when he averaged 13 points with the Bulls. There is no reason why he cannot get to around that number again.
Gibson has a very impressive spin move that he uses to get open, as shown in the video below.
4. Average 8 rebounds per game
The goal is to average as close to 10 points and 10 rebounds a game as possible. That is ideal production out of a good power forward. Gibson has never averaged 10 rebounds a game, so eight is a much more realistic goal. His career high was set during his rookie year where he averaged 7.5 rebounds per game.
With a new setting where intensity is heightened, eight is a good target. Between Taj Gibson, Gorgui Dieng, Karl-Anthony Towns and Justin Patton, the Wolves can dominate the glass, especially if Gibson averages around eight rebounds a game. Gibson is able to rebound on both sides of the court effectively.
Below is an example of Gibson’s rebounding leading to a second-chance basket — something the Minnesota Timberwolves will benefit from next season. The best part is he was being boxed out by 2017 NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and finished the dunk over two-time MVP Stephen Curry.
3. Average 2 assists per game
This goal is very important based on who Gibson is playing with next season. The Timberwolves are loaded with offensive talent. Passing the ball to Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns is going to be a big part of his role.
The most assists Gibson ever averaged in a season is 1.5 per game. Now, with so many weapons at his disposal that goal is much higher. If he plays his role and does not take away from the main scorers, the Wolves will be able to play with great chemistry right off the bat.
In the clip below, Gibson draws the defender to him and passes the ball to a cutting Joakim Noah. Now flip Noah with Towns and you have a lethal combination.
2. Be a top-10 defender in the NBA
This may sound like a stretch, but Taj Gibson has been a top 10 defender in the NBA twice (in terms of defensive rating) during his career. The first was during the 2010-11 season where he ranked fifth with a 97.7 defensive rating. The second time was the following season where he ranked seventh in the NBA with a 96.4 defensive rating.
Gibson is an elite defender and that is why he fits in Thibodeau’s system so well. Additionally he is able to guard any position on the court. He is great to play all game, but most importantly, in the fourth quarter. Because of that, Gibson will never be a liability on defense. If he has a top-10 defensive season he will improve one of the team’s biggest weaknesses from last season.
Below is an example of Gibson playing excellent help side defense, ironically enough, against the Minnesota Timberwolves two seasons ago.
1. Win the starting power forward position
This will be a competitive battle between Gibson and Gorgui Dieng. Dieng played quality basketball for the Timberwolves, starting in all 82 games last season. It will not be easy for Gibson to beat him out, because Dieng averaged 10 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
Dieng is actually very similar to Gibson in the sense that he is an average offensive player who is great at defense and good on the glass. Dieng does have an advantage shooting the ball. Gibson only made six three-pointers on 26 attempts last season. Dieng on the other hand, shot much better, making 37 percent of his 43 attempts.
They are so close across the board that it will come down to the wire to see who gets the starting nod. This is an excellent problem for the Minnesota Timberwolves to have, because that means they will have a starting caliber power forward coming off the bench. That was not the case last season and it showed during games. Gibson’s main goal should be to start at the power forward because that competition will make the team better whether he wins the job or not.
Next: The biggest winners and losers of 2017 NBA free agency
If Gibson accomplishes most of these goals, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be very happy with their free agent signing. If he accomplishes all of them he will be doing everything he possibly can to help the Wolves make a deep playoff run next season. That is the ultimate goal because the Timberwolves are tired of not making the playoffs.