Reigning conference finalists, the Wolves seemed to be banking on continuity. Except they just transferred Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Julius RandleDonte DiVincenzo and Keita Bates-Diop.
They thus lose an All-Star but recover another, while strengthening their bench… and saving money. But is the Julius Randle – Rudy Gobert duo viable under the circle? This will be one of the questions of the season in Minneapolis, even if the Frenchman assures that this transfer does not modify the identity of the team.
“I think our identity remains the same” he replies. “We are a defensive team. We want to be the best defensive team in this league. KAT is a one-of-a-kind player. Obviously we're going to have to fill some holes that his talent filled. We will do it as a team. We will try to play faster. We will try to move the ball even more. It will take a collective effort to achieve this.”
Players who have experienced adversity
How does he imagine cohabitation with the former Lakers and Pelicans?
“He’s a very intelligent player. It is very versatile. I think I will be able to help him with my screens, with the attention I generate, to make his life even easier” thus promises the pivot of the Blues. “I'll try to give him as many easy baskets as possible. He's a guy I know will make the right choice. When the defense regroups, I know he's good at getting the ball out. When the pivot comes to help, he is good at finding his own pivot. He's really a very intelligent player. We have a lot of matches to make mistakes and learn how to maximize it for us as a team. »
If Rudy Gobert is so confident, it's because Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo had to fight to find their place in the NBA, like him, and they are therefore used to adversity.
“To be able to win a title, we have to be able to overcome adversity as a group. If cohesion is not there, when there is adversity, then you will collapse. We've been through a lot over the last two years as a band. I know Julius and Donte have experienced adversity. They know what it is. They both have that type of maturity. They are also guys who want to win. They understand that winning is not easy. That's why I'm very excited about it. »
