To begin the 2017-18 NBA season, the Minnesota Timberwolves are currently 11-8, which is fifth in the Western Conference. With major changes to the roster led by the Jimmy Butler trade, there were expectations it would take time for the team to build chemistry.
However, one major concern has been Minnesota's defense as they are currently a bottom-six team in defensive rating (107.5). Following the 109-97 loss to the Miami Heat where the Timberwolves allowed them to shoot nearly 50 percent from the field and beyond the arc, Butler blasted his teammates for their effort according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic:
Butler: "We haven't guarded anybody all year long. Different mistakes, same mistakes, we have to eventually figure it out and want to play defense. That starts w/me and goes all the way down the line"
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) November 25, 2017
Butler: "We've got to start guarding somebody. It's getting ridiculous and it's getting sad. I heard some boos in there. Rightfully so."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) November 25, 2017
As Butler has made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times in his career, he is trying to share the same mentality he and head coach Tom Thibodeau have with the rest of his teammates. While Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins are two of the league's rising stars, they both need to improve defensively.
Although there is no doubt the Timberwolves have assembled a talented roster, it will be interesting to see if Butler's comments will motivate his teammates on the defensive end. While all the talk has been about challenging the Golden State Warriors, the Timberwolves have a long way to go before entering the discussion.
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