Tom Thibodeau called leader Jeff Teague a "low key" in the Timberwolves locker room after Tuesday's practice session.

Hearing this description of Teague, forward Taj Gibson had a smile on his face.

"Jeff is not silent," Gibson said. "Everyone says he's quiet, but he's really funny. It's a real joker. In the game, he does his job. Outside the field, he makes the locker room comfortable with his jokes and amuses himself. "

Joking aside, there is another facet of Teague's personality that emerged during his tenure with the Wolves: a refreshingly refreshing truth. The Wolves may need the serious and funny side of Teague as the regular season approaches, without resolution of the saga of Jimmy Butler on trade that disturbs more than three weeks after his request for the Wolves to exchange it.

Teague often speaks softly during media interviews, sometimes so quietly that the outside media may not realize he's still talking and they're starting their next question, but that's not the point. to say that his words lack volume.

Last season, Teague said some of the starters had "missed gasoline" during a late defeat against the Grizzlies, and made a public call to Thibodeau for that he's playing longer on the bench and leaves more rest to the starters.

On Sunday, after the Wolves fought in the 125-135 pre-season loss to the Bucks, Teague brought to light one of the main reasons why the Wolves fought to defend themselves. Teague said that Wolves must be "more aggressive in all our blankets," but that the problems could go beyond the courts.

"You can tell the teams that met this summer," Teague said. "I think [the Bucks] spent a lot of time together in the summer and you can tell. We did not see each other before the start of the season. We have a little more time to try to do things right. But we must hurry.

It is a comment that touches the heart not only of the defensive struggles of the Wolves, but also of their chemical composition, which can appear on the ground. The team did not spend time together during the off season and sees the consequences now.

Perhaps that's where Teague's sense of humor can help solve the problems of a team that has not had much reason to laugh in recent weeks.

"He's a professional who has been in the league for a long time and has been on big teams," Gibson said. "It's nice to have it there a few days, especially when things are not going well."

Teague said Butler was a "good friend", but did not want to get involved with what he had experienced off the field.

"I really do not pay much attention," Teague said. "Stay a bit like me and do what I'm supposed to do. Stay away from everyone and really appreciate the process, honestly.

This attitude has served Teague well in its previous nine seasons, with nine appearances in the playoffs.

He joined the Wolves a year ago as part of a revamped, veteran-influenced composition, and underwent constant comparisons with previous leader Ricky Rubio.

Even the most ardent supporters of Rubio, however, have finally acknowledged that Teague's forces – a reliable outside shot and the scoring mentality at the edge of the rim – were valuable assets for the team's 47 wins of the year last.

Teague missed seven games in January of last season due to a knee injury and struggled on his return, but by the end of the season he had returned to the form that had him made All-Star with the Hawks in 2015 – and helped the Wolves compete in the playoffs to keep his series alive. He has averaged 16.9 points and 7.4 assists in his last 12 games.

"I like the fact that Jeff is a bit like a lucky charm," Gibson said. "I have to hit the woods. Hope we can continue.

The uncertainty surrounding Butler, combined with a strong Western Conference, could jeopardize this situation.

Thibodeau said Teague's attitude was the same, even in times of stress. Something that could serve the wolves at any time of the season.

"All his teammates like to play with him," said Thibodeau. "He's not one of those guys who's screaming and hammering his chest and everything else, but he's a very confident guy and it's good to be in the locker room. He does not get shaken by things. "

And he could make sure others do not do it as well.