Days after a blowout defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, new Bucks coach Doc Rivers got real about the West’s top seed and called out all of the doubters who were bashing on last summer’s Rudy Gobert deal.
“I don’t think anyone’s laughing about that trade anymore,” Rivers told Sports Illustrated. “They are just so long, and they play fiercely. I was particularly impressed late in the game, when they still had their starters off. They were fighting through screens, furious that AJ (Green) was making shots, and you could see it was a squad that believed they had a chance.”
On paper, the Wolves have everything necessary to win the West. With a young star, a co-star, and a defensive anchor in the middle, Minnesota boasts a deep and skilled roster this season. Nonetheless, the Timberwolves lack the experience of other Western contenders and have a history of flame out at crucial moments. In reality, for the majority of the franchise’s history, they’ve been an afterthought in the championship hunt, relegated to prepping for the draft lottery each year.
This season marks the Timberwolves’ return to relevance in the Western Conference, and they are making a statement with their continuing defensive dominance. Of course, Anthony Edwards is largely responsible for the team’s success, as he has averaged 25.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 46.5%. Karl-Anthony Towns has also been excellent for them, and his stat line of 22 and 8 earned him an All-Star nomination for the fourth time in his career. Rudy Gobert has arguably been the most significant difference-maker for the Wolves this season, almost single-handedly keeping Minnesota as the league’s best defensive club.
Rudy Gobert Is Proving Everyone Wrong Amid DPOY Campaign
Most fans and commentators thought the Timberwolves made a huge mistake when they traded for Rudy Gobert in 2022. Minnesota not only added another center to an already crowded frontcourt, but they also traded four first-round picks in the deal, thereby mortgaging their whole future to get a 31-year-old center. To say the deal was controversial would be an understatement, especially given some dubbed it the “worst trade in NBA history.” Going into this season, Gobert’s value was at an all-time low, and no one had big hopes for the Timberwolves, who ended 42-40 last year in their debut season with the talented Frenchman.
This recent stretch has served as a redemption narrative for Rudy. While he did not make the All-Star team, Gobert is enjoying an excellent season for Minnesota, averaging 13.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game on 64% shooting. He has been the top defender in the NBA this season and is on course for his fourth Defensive Player of the Year honor. All the while, the Timberwolves are benefiting from Gobert’s play and have been around the top of the standings all season. While it is still too early for a victory lap, Rudy Gobert is well on his way to making his doubters seem foolish, and it has been an incredible sight to behold over the last several months.
Leave a Reply