The Minnesota Timberwolves are still in a good position to make the playoffs, but they are in a tough spot not having their superstar Jimmy Butler on the court with them as he works his way back from an MCL injury.
Jimmy Butler has missed each of the last two games against the Portland Trail Blazers, and Damian Lillard told Nick Friedell of ESPN after the game that he sees a different Timberwolves team when Butler is on the court compared to when he is out because of injury.
“He brings a different toughness to the team,” Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard told ESPN after a win over the Timberwolves last month that Butler missed because of soreness in his right knee. “A different attitude, level of focus, kind of I guess like an a–h— [attitude] like, ‘We're a good team' type of thing, and that's what leaders need to bring to their team. I feel like he gives their team the attitude like they're somebody. And they're going to get things done. He's demanding.”
That quote doesn't really come as a surprise because there is no question that Butler is the unquestioned leader on the team.
Butler is a good defender, and although the rest of the Timberwolves still struggle to defend at times, they play better team defense when Butler is on the court.
Butler has really shown the young Timberwolves how to have confidence, and win and sometimes it's okay to play with a cockiness.
There is no question when Butler is on the court they have their leader, and the rest of time Wolves play really takes a step up.
The Wolves are going to have to survive this next stretch without Butler, but if they can hold on for a playoff spot he should be back, and the team as long as Butler is healthy is going to be a tough out.
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