The Minnesota Timberwolves have a good problem at point guard.
Jeff Teague started all 70 games he appeared in last season after signing a three-year, $57-million deal with Minnesota last summer; Tyus Jones proved to be an effective defensive force in his backup role. But it was former MVP Derrick Rose who provided a boost for the Timberwolves in their short-lived playoff run last year.
Although Rose struggled in his nine games at the end of the Timberwolves' regular season, his veteran savviness was on display in their five-game series loss to the Houston Rockets, where he averaged 14.2 points on 50.9 percent in 23.8 minutes per game.
Former Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett believes Rose's vintage showing late last season was enough to warrant the starting role ahead of Teague and Jones.
"You know, you get older, but the knowledge don’t go anywhere," Garnett said, according to Brandon Robinson of ScoopB.com. "He's more crafty now than ever in the pick-and-roll. He's able to get shots for guys and he’s able to knock shots down, so yeah, I would."
Timberwolves president and head coach Tom Thibodeau coached Rose during his best days with the Chicago Bulls, and chose to recruit the three-time All-Star to bolster Minnesota's bench.
The Timberwolves re-signed Rose to a one-year, $2.4-million deal earlier this summer.
