The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the 2017-18 NBA season with high expectations after acquiring three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler over the summer. Although they have gotten off to a solid 7-5 start, the Timberwolves still seemingly have yet to synergize as a team.

This was especially evident during their 118-110 loss to the lowly Phoenix Suns. According to ESPN's Nick Friedell, Butler says it is the defense that continues to plague this team thus far.

“Offense will never be the problem all year long,” Butler said. “You're always going to hear about from us, from everybody else, is we're not playing any defense. That is our biggest letdown right now. And until we fix it, a lot of outcomes are going to be like this one.”

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As a three-time member of the All-NBA Defensive Second Team, it is no surprise to hear Jimmy Butler's emphasis on defense. The Timberwolves now rank 27th in the league in defensive rating after being defeated by a Suns team that just lost their starting point guard.

If Minnesota has any hope of making a run in the powerhouse Western Conference's playoffs, they will need to soon start making strides on that end of the court. It will likely be on Jimmy Butler to lead the charge as the veteran member of the Timberwolves ‘Big 3.'