The Minnesota Timberwolves have no shortage of front line talent, but the talent of the team that's so far been displayed in two games this season goes so much further than the starting five. 

Guard Ayo Dosunmu has continued his impressive run that he started last season and center Joan Beringer is showing glimpses of his potential during his time coming off the bench, but one the most impressive players coming off the bench for the Timberwolves so far has been forward Terrence Shannon Jr. 

Shannon Jr. is in his third season with the Timberwolves and while it's just been two games, he's already been trusted with far more responsibility than ever before. He's averaging 21 minutes per game, a career-high, and in that time he's averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game, all either tied for or setting new career-highs. 

He's shined in limited time before, but now Shannon Jr. seems to have taken the leap as a role-playing wing that the Timberwolves desperately need him to be. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch revealed in a recent interview that he simply advised Shannon Jr. that he didn't need to do more, but he needed to do what he already does with consistency.

In two games, Shannon Jr. has taken that message to heart and if he keeps it up, he can prove to be one of Minnesota's most crucial support pieces, albeit his impact may be more subtle. 

It isn't just Shannon Jr.'s offense that's coming along nicely, though that's what he's been most known for in his career. Finch has been impressed with what Shannon Jr. has done on the other side of the court as well.

"I've been very pleased with his defense. He's come leaps and bounds defensively from his routes to his competitiveness to his contain to his not fouling, and you know it's making a big difference out there," Finch said (via Nadine Babu). 

Shannon Jr.'s development as a defensive factor is a far bigger development than what he can do offensively. The Timberwolves could always do with more defenders, especially coming off the bench as Shannon Jr. is doing, and having him come together as a true two-way threat would go so far in making the Timberwolves more well-rounded.

The Timberwolves are shaping up to have some serious momentum in the Western Conference this season and their support pieces like Shannon Jr. are a major part of that. 

With his role and his skills both reaching a new level, Shannon Jr. is poised to have a big year ahead of him and with his help, Minnesota could be far more threatening than anyone in the NBA might think.