BleedGopher
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Per Jon K:
The Timberwolves (43-32) have been waiting for this version of Gobert for most of the season. Last year was a triumphant one for the proud center, who had been criticized heavily for his play in his first season in Minnesota in 2022-23. He reasserted himself as an All-World defender, tying the record with his fourth DPOY award and leading the No. 1 defense in the league to the Western Conference finals. He entered the season looking for redemption, to prove something, and it could be seen in his play.
This season, the impact has been more sporadic. The Wolves are still a very good defense, ranking sixth in defensive efficiency. But they’re not the dominant unit that took over games, and playoff series, last season. This year, he is averaging 11.2 points per game, his lowest total since his third season in the league. His 10.6 rebounds are his fewest since Year 2 in 2014-15 and his 1.4 blocks are tied with that disappointing first season in Minnesota for his lowest average as a regular starter in the NBA.
As the Timberwolves try to scratch and claw their way out of the Play-In Tournament, Gobert is rounding into form. He has double-doubles in four straight games, is averaging 16.8 points and 16.3 rebounds in those games and starting to look like the imposing presence in the paint that he has been for his entire career.
“I just try to set the tone,” Gobert said. “I know that when I do that, it’s contagious for the team. For me, it’s really important to do it for the first minute of the game to the last and in practice every day and in the weight room. Wherever I’m at, I try to lead by example.”
It’s go time for the Timberwolves, and that means Gobert has to put his foot on the gas. They are a different team when he is at his best, walling off the paint, forcing drivers to think twice as they consider a run at the rim and making them pay on the other end when they try to get away with putting a smaller defender on him.
He is never going to be a graceful presence in the post. There will be times, and there were on Sunday against the Pistons, when he blows point-blank layups. But the Timberwolves cannot ignore Gobert on offense because that allows the defense to ignore him as well. When the Wolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns, who was more than willing to throw Gobert the ball on offense, for Julius Randle and DiVincenzo, it upset the equilibrium that Gobert had reached.
Randle and DiVincenzo went through the same learning process that most do with Gobert. They had to understand where best to throw the ball so Gobert could catch it and finish it. Gobert had to earn their trust. So it comes as no surprise that Gobert is averaging 6.7 shots per game this season, his lowest mark since Year 3 in Utah.
www.nytimes.com
Howl Wolves!!
The Timberwolves (43-32) have been waiting for this version of Gobert for most of the season. Last year was a triumphant one for the proud center, who had been criticized heavily for his play in his first season in Minnesota in 2022-23. He reasserted himself as an All-World defender, tying the record with his fourth DPOY award and leading the No. 1 defense in the league to the Western Conference finals. He entered the season looking for redemption, to prove something, and it could be seen in his play.
This season, the impact has been more sporadic. The Wolves are still a very good defense, ranking sixth in defensive efficiency. But they’re not the dominant unit that took over games, and playoff series, last season. This year, he is averaging 11.2 points per game, his lowest total since his third season in the league. His 10.6 rebounds are his fewest since Year 2 in 2014-15 and his 1.4 blocks are tied with that disappointing first season in Minnesota for his lowest average as a regular starter in the NBA.
As the Timberwolves try to scratch and claw their way out of the Play-In Tournament, Gobert is rounding into form. He has double-doubles in four straight games, is averaging 16.8 points and 16.3 rebounds in those games and starting to look like the imposing presence in the paint that he has been for his entire career.
“I just try to set the tone,” Gobert said. “I know that when I do that, it’s contagious for the team. For me, it’s really important to do it for the first minute of the game to the last and in practice every day and in the weight room. Wherever I’m at, I try to lead by example.”
It’s go time for the Timberwolves, and that means Gobert has to put his foot on the gas. They are a different team when he is at his best, walling off the paint, forcing drivers to think twice as they consider a run at the rim and making them pay on the other end when they try to get away with putting a smaller defender on him.
He is never going to be a graceful presence in the post. There will be times, and there were on Sunday against the Pistons, when he blows point-blank layups. But the Timberwolves cannot ignore Gobert on offense because that allows the defense to ignore him as well. When the Wolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns, who was more than willing to throw Gobert the ball on offense, for Julius Randle and DiVincenzo, it upset the equilibrium that Gobert had reached.
Randle and DiVincenzo went through the same learning process that most do with Gobert. They had to understand where best to throw the ball so Gobert could catch it and finish it. Gobert had to earn their trust. So it comes as no surprise that Gobert is averaging 6.7 shots per game this season, his lowest mark since Year 3 in Utah.
Rudy Gobert is standing tall for Timberwolves when they need him most
The Timberwolves are a different team when Rudy Gobert is at his best, walling off the paint, forcing drivers to think twice.
www.nytimes.com
Howl Wolves!!