How Would Jimmy Butler Fare With This Minnesota Timberwolves Team?
Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves is a rivalry as old as time.
As the Miami Heat face the Timberwolves Monday night, it's hard not to reminisce about Butler's time in Minnesota. His main concern with Minnesota was the lack of effort he felt from his teammates.
Now, they are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and tied with the Boston Celtics (19-5) for the best record in the league. While we’re only a quarter of the way through the season, their success is something to marvel at regardless.
How would Butler do with this current Timberwolves squad?
He would be paired with a rising superstar in Anthony Edwards, whose playing style, trash talk and charisma almost mirror Butler’s. Even for Butler’s feud with Karl-Anthony Towns, the two would be lethal in the frontcourt together. Towns is still one of the better power forward/centers in the game, and he would only continue thriving alongside Butler. Rudy Gobert is still a solid scorer and consistent rebounder, giving the team the size and defense they need to compete with bigger opponents.
Naz Reid provides solid scoring in the second unit, while Mike Conley gives Minnesota veteran leadership and facilitating at the point guard position.
The Heat pride themselves with players willing to do the dirty work and play team basketball, which contradicts Butler's criticism of the Timberwolves. Still, much of the fans' complaints of Butler's time in Miami have been about the lack of superstar power around him. Butler on this season’s Timberwolves roster could be a championship contender.
But, these are all theoretical in the end. Butler is in Miami, and his current team will go toe-to-toe with his old squad Monday night.
Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
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