The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz 2018-19 Northwest Division Comparison: An unclear November

By Jared Woodcox

DENVER, CO -NOVEMBER 3: Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio #3 and Denver Nuggets forward Juan Hernangomez #41 share a moment after the game between the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets on November 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO -NOVEMBER 3: Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio #3 and Denver Nuggets forward Juan Hernangomez #41 share a moment after the game between the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets on November 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Minnesota Timberwolves Guard Jimmy Butler (23) looks on before a NBA game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Minnesota Timberwolves Guard Jimmy Butler (23) looks on before a NBA game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves

Current Record: 4-7

Standings: 5th in Division, 13th in Conference

The Minnesota Timberwolves were my preseason pick for finishing at the bottom of the division and so far they’ve lived up to that expectation. The Jimmy Butler drama continues to be absolute madness as the Wolves’ best player is essentially picking and choosing when he’s going to play. One would expect that they can’t go much longer without trading him, but with Tom Thibodeau and Glen Taylor calling the shots, you never know what might happen.

The Timberwolves are bursting with talent, but dysfunction, lack of chemistry and the Jimmy Butler saga are very likely going to derail their season. They’ve posted some big wins where they’ve looked solid, including that game where Derrick Rose went for 50 points (who was that against again?) but for the most part their 4-7 record is indicative of what they’ve been and likely will be unless major changes are made centered around moving Butler off the roster.

Karl-Anthony Towns continues to be vastly underused and appears disengaged (can you blame him?), the Wolves defense continues to be an issue as they sit at 29th in the league in defensive rating, and their overall energy and effort is mediocre at best.

At this rate, it’s going to be a long season for the Timberwolves unless they can get some things figured out. I know it’s early and a lot can change, but I’m still pinning them as the bottom of the Northwest Division and ultimately out of the playoffs. In my opinion, this team needs an overhaul from the top down, including not just Jimmy Butler but much of the front office as well, principally Tom Thibodeau who’s performed questionably during his time in Minnesota.

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