NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Jimmy Butler Saga Is Out Of Control
Even if you are the most casual NBA fan, you have heard of the saga going on between Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves. First, the demanded trade by Butler right before training camp. Then the craziness from head coach and President of Basketball Operations, Tom Thibodeau, who has frustrating executives with his ridiculous asking prices.
The overall whining and complaining of owner Glen Taylor also is making things look worse. In the end, everyone involved has a little to blame. Too many egos floating around, too many jobs in the balance with this trade, and lots of uncertainty for this upcoming season.
NBA fans see one thing, while the Timberwolves’ fanbase has almost a completely separate take on it. Since most NBA fans don’t have their teams dealing with it, it’s easy to poke fun and laugh at the complete drama. If you are in Minnesota or a Timberwolves’ fan, this is getting embarrassing. This is coming from an organization that didn’t make the playoffs for 14 years.
Why Butler Is Frustrated With The Minnesota Timberwolves
Looking at this from Butler’s side, his frustrations seem legitimate. He was one of the bigger reasons why the Timberwolves made the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Butler didn’t get the max contract offer that his much younger teammate, Karl- Anthony Towns did. He signed a five-year, $190 million offer, and the franchise has shown who they’d prefer to build around.
Butler’s personality on the court and work ethic is similar to Kobe Bryant/Michael Jordan. His two younger talented stars in Towns and wing player Andrew Wiggins have all the talent in the world, but have yet to harness it all. Butler feels it’s about their own personal work ethic, which he isn’t completely wrong. Wiggins at times looks uninterested or bored on the court, and Towns gets beat up defensively and saves most energy on the offensive end.
Lots of things came up on his interview on ESPN. He said he contacted coach Thibodeau four days after the Timberwolves season ended to the Houston Rockets, requesting a trade. Even though the request wasn’t released to the media until right before training camp, Thibodeau has been unreasonable with Butler.
He asked for a trade to Thibodeau and he tried to “accommodate” his request by looking for trades. Thing is Thibodeau was asking outrageous pieces in return that no team in their right mind would take. It almost looks like he is purposely sabotaging trades and the franchise in the process.
Looking At Things From A Minnesota Timberwolves Fan Point Of View
Most of the Timberwolves fanbase is tired with all of the drama. This is a franchise that doesn’t receive much attention, and usually when it gets it, it’s never good. Butler is a great talent and was a key piece for the Wolves to getting to the playoffs. But he is acting like he is a top five talent in the league.
As impressive Butler can be, he is still just a top 15 talent. If he’s your number one player (option) on your team, he will help you get to the playoffs and maybe lead you as far as the conference finals. But considering how the NBA is landscaped today, he won’t get you to the finals as the leader.
Also, Butler will be 30 years old this year. At this point of his career, this is the finished product for the most part. But Karl Anthony-Towns is still a growing 23 year old who just came off of his first All-star season. Towns does have his weaknesses, but at this stage in his career, he still has time to tweak things, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Minnesota Timberwolves Going With Karl-Anthony Towns Over Butler Is A Smart Move
Looking long term, Towns was the smarter option to go with. The Timberwolves aren’t a contending team at the moment, and will need a couple seasons to even get to that. Butler is at a point where he needs to be on a contending team to feel like he is doing something.
Serious blame though needs to go on the shoulders on Taylor, the Timberwolves owner. He has just sat around and quietly mentioned displeasure with Butler and Thibodeau. Mostly Thibodeau though. Taylor could pull the boss card and pull the trigger on the Butler trade with the trades offered.
Then swallow his wallet and fire Thibodeau, giving him the last $24 million left on his contract. Taylor though is and always has been too passive to do that. He fits the definition of Minnesota’s passive-aggressive style.
In The End
Throughout this entire mess of a situation, everyone involved in this has some blame to take. No one is blameless here. Butler for causing this side drama that is ruining his trade value. Thibodeau for being ridiculous with trades and being reluctant to do anything. Also, Taylor for being spineless and just letting his franchise become a laughing stock of the NBA.
It looks like Butler will be suiting up with the Timberwolves for the beginning of the season. Despite his wishes, the team will have to figure out what to do moving forward or things will only get messier.
Photo Credit
BipHoo Company via Flickr
