NBA: The Minnesota Timberwolves' guard conundrum

Other than the Boston Celtics, there's been no team that's had more ups and downs this season than the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota has had a seven-game win streak and somehow also holds a truly saddening road record of 2-13 - the worst amongst the Western Conference behemoths.

The Wolves have had some games slip from their fingers, such as the 129-123 OT loss to the Pistons last week and some absolute humdingers, such as the 124-98 blowout loss to the vengeful Spurs - also last week.

That loss happened when both Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague were injured, however, they were still on the injury list when the Wolves won against the first seeded Thunder.

The team has had a bunch of problems - too often has it let opposing teams gobble up offensive rebounds, as evidenced by Drummond getting the putback shot off a rebound in the final quarter of the Pistons game. But none of their problems are as perennial and as frustrating as their starting point guard position.

Minnesota is playing a game of Tetris. They've got a square to fill, but they've got a triangle, a circle and a square that is too big (Tyus Jones, Teague and Rose).

Tyus Jones

Tyus Jones

Tyus Jones, for whatever reason, has dedicated almost his entire game to facilitating others. He is too humble, one might say, while looking for shots for Towns, Rose and Wiggins and not racking up enough shots to be a constant problem for opposing point guards.

It has become enough of an issue where Jones' man will regularly sag off him to double-team Rose or Wiggins off the stretch - on the basis that Jones will not look for his own shot.

This season, he's experiencing a severe shot slump, as his FGA has dropped from 46% to 40% and his 3PT percentage has dropped even more drastically (for a point guard) from 34.9% to a mere 26.9%.

His defensive instincts are good, and at that end, he's a good fit for the first team, but he's still a few seasons from being a starter.

In fact, with Thibs in the hot seat for both his head coach and president of basketball operations jobs and the suddenly crowded backcourt issues, Tyus Jones may be moved to some teams that have a dearth of a young, defensive-minded, offensive facilitator - like the Phoenix Suns, with their core of Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton.

Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose

NBA Twitter, I hear you. Rose is too overqualified to be a substitute on this team (or most other teams). The man is breaking precedence for injury comeback histories in a way no one else has done - on a veteran's minimum contract, Rose is shooting 47% from three and 49% FGA.

His season stat line reads a gaudy (for a sub) 18.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.8 rpg, 0.6 steals per game and 0.3 blocks per game.

Rose usually plays shooting guard, but he's a pitch perfect score-first point guard. He can score off the dribble, off the ball and in catch-and-shoot plays.

But starting means minutes, and minutes mean more stress on his already fragile body. He's 30 years old with five surgeries and an extensive history of injuries. Risking his health with more minutes seems counter intuitive.

Plus, Rose initiates offense off the dribble, which is something the second unit sorely needs. Rose on the bench seems the best option for now.

The Teague issue

Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague is the reason behind this whole scenario. The guard is owed 19 million this season, and has a player option for next season. Based on how this season is unfolding, and the fact that he is 30 years old, it's hard to see him turning down that option.

Teague has demonstrated an extreme aversion to showing any signs of wanting to score himself. He burns down the shot clock and forces passes to try and feed KAT in the post. If the opposition is the Hornets, it works.

If the opposition is the Lakers and Tyson Chandler marks Towns, it fails. There's force-feeding to KAT and Wiggins (which only leads to worse shot selection) and a baffling freezing out of Rose on multiple occasions.

Because of his contract and his generally laidback play, Teague cannot lead the second unit as Rose can. He doesn't actually initiate the offense, and shows recalcitrance to score off the dribble that doesn't fit the mold of today's point guard. Plus, there's the issue of whether he'd be willing to come off the bench.

He has missed a large chunk of games this season with various knee and thigh issues (the first of which led to Rose's resurgence) and at this rate, he might be on the trade block before his player option has a chance to kick in.