Minnesota Timberwolves: October 2018 player grades

Minnesota Timberwolves: October player grades

SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 05: Jimmy Butler #23, Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Townsand and Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Universidade Center on October 5, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Josh Okogie

6 GP, 29.3 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.7 SPG

The rookie is quickly becoming a favorite among Timberwolves’ fans, and for good reason. Check out this defensive compilation — not to be clichéd, but this guy is a pit bull.

After sitting on the bench for the first two games of the year, Okogie has subsequently earned every minute he’s gotten by playing hard and fearless. I don’t want to overstate things, but his emergence has made the idea of having to ship Butler out less painful already. He’s contributing thus far despite shooting terribly:

He's gonna be good (especially on defense) later in the year. Okogie is shooting 34.5% from the field and he made just 29% of his 2-point jumpers last year. Here's his shot chart on the season (was also 4-of-5 at the rim in his last game for his career-high 17 points). pic.twitter.com/4XI2Cy53ji
— Michael Gallagher (@MikeSGallagher) October 31, 2018

The fact that he is continuing to shoot despite his woes is a positive sign, as is unexpected playmaking like this:

HOLY OKOGIE

the only thing @CallMe_NonStop does halfway is throw alley-oops to @JimmyButler halfway down the court https://t.co/Y3sfFuLuQr
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 30, 2018

He can’t get an A while he’s shooting so poorly, but his overall game is incredibly encouraging for a franchise that has historically had problems drafting.

Grade: A-

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