Minnesota Sports Today

Minnesota Sports News Continuously Updated

Rudy Gobert’s Impact on Winning is Peaking at Perfect Time

by

Rudy Gobert's play has been stellar lately.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had some embarrassing losses this season. Two games back-to-back in Portland. One against Washington, one against Utah, each currently the worst team in their respective conference. Defeats at the hands of heavily shorthanded opponents, notably Milwaukee (missing Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo) and Indiana (missing Tyrese Halliburton, Myles Turner, and Pascal Siakam), each came down to the final shot, both a missed triple by Anthony Edwards. Combined, these losses have kept Minnesota trapped in the play-in spots. But with mere days remaining in the season, the Wolves have climbed to sixth place. The difference over the past two weeks? Their reigning DPOY center, Rudy Gobert. The Frenchman’s impact has been noticeable, and he has put together his most productive month of the season at just the right moment.

Rudy Gobert’s Impact on Winning is Peaking at Perfect Time

Defensive Difference Maker

In 13 games back from injury, Gobert’s 103.9 defensive rating is tops on the Timberwolves, and good for seventh amongst all players with at least 20 minutes per game over that span. He is rebounding at a high rate. His 16.3 rebounds per game over the last six is the best in the league by a significant margin. In the 10 games Gobert was out, Wolves opponents were never held under 100 points, yet in the 13 games since, it has happened three times. His defense, which took a step back from last year’s Defensive Player of the Year caliber, has stepped up in the last month. Gobert’s impact at the rim and on the glass is finally peaking, and with the playoffs looming, he must maintain this level for Minnesota to succeed.

Gobert’s Impact on Offense is Underrated

It’s widely publicized that Gobert lacks the offensive polish of the other top big men. When compared to other top centers in the league, his scoring skillset lags behind. Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid, these high-profile scorers can shoot the three, bang in the post, and knock down free throws at a high level. Gobert cannot match them in these areas. But he knows his role and contributes offensively in other ways.

In fact, in the last 13 games, Gobert has an offensive rating of 123.5, third best on the Wolves. He only takes shots that he can make, shooting 71.3% from the field, primarily on dunks and layups. He is screening for Edwards and Mike Conley, creating open shots for the perimeter scorers. His plus/minus is a team-high +163 since coming back. With him off the court, Minnesota is playing losing ball, but Gobert’s impact has led the team to important wins.

Gobert and the Timberwolves Refuse to Lose

The stats are only half the story. More important than any defensive rating or screen assist number, the eye test shows how Gobert is willing the team to victory. Minnesota has gone 10-3 since his return, and games such as the two most recent highlight his impact. Playing against Brooklyn and Philadelphia, two lottery-bound foes, the Wolves came out pretty flat. On Thursday, the Nets cut a once double-digit lead to just six points with 10 minutes to play in the fourth. It was typical Wolves, they didn’t take an inferior opponent seriously, and never put the game out of reach. Enter Gobert.

Over the next eight minutes, Gobert scored six points, grabbed two rebounds, blocked two shots, and spearheaded a 22-13 run that effectively ended any hope the Nets had of victory. Two nights later, a similar situation. An injury-depleted Sixers squad had rallied to tie the game at 87 with nine minutes to play. Over the next eight minutes, Gobert had eight points, seven rebounds, and one block, as Minnesota eked out a narrow win.

With their Western Conference rivals keeping pace, each win is crucial. Gobert, more than any other Wolf, is putting forth an effort that matches the importance of every game.

 

Photo credit: © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The post Rudy Gobert’s Impact on Winning is Peaking at Perfect Time appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.