In November 2023, the Wolves came to Golden State and won two games in three days, just to warn the entire NBA that they had to count on them. A year later, and after a checkered start to the season, the teammates of Rudy Gobert slammed their fists again, not on the table but on the Chase Center floor, with an impressive defensive performance to win a fourth straight game. They will try to confirm this revival tonight during a second match in a row against the Warriors.
Like last year, the atmosphere in the Minnesota locker room was good. On one side Anthony Edwards, all smiles, sitting between Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, the two newcomers. On the other, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley, less expressive than the young wolf, but just as satisfied with the work accomplished.
With two large ice packs on his knees, the center of the France team spoke with us about his team's awakening. And who better than the four-time defender of the year to diagnose the defensive progress of the Wolves, now 5th defense in the NBA. Rudy Gobert explains to us the awareness of his teammates and the central role he plays in this return to the forefront.
Rudy, that's four victories in a row and above all four matches where you keep your opponents below 92 points. It feels like you're getting back to last season's identity, especially with a physical, aggressive defense that sets the tone for everything else. What was the trigger after a more complicated start to the season?
The trigger was to remember who we are, both individually and collectively, and what allowed us to have a good season last year and win a lot of matches. And that starts with defense. And then on offense, it's about moving the ball, playing for each other like we did tonight (editor's note: Minnesota finished with 32 assists against Golden State). As soon as we started doing this regularly, we immediately found performances worthy of our standards.
“Cohesion takes time”
Your fourth quarter in particular was a great illustration of what you're describing.
That's right, I think our collective spirit was really good. We made a few small mistakes in the third quarter, and we really got back into it right away to start the last quarter, and that's what made the difference. Our defense allowed our attack to drive home the victory.
Since you're talking about your collective, let's talk about your teammates. Anthony Edwards said a few minutes ago that you and Jaden McDaniels are the leaders of the defense. We feel that he too is regaining his best level over the last two weeks, including a good match to limit Stephen Curry this evening.
He has been an extra for several matches. He does the work of the shadows which is not easy. I'm really proud of him because he manages not to let his frustration, if ever the player he's defending scores on him or if the referee calls a foul with which he doesn't agree, take the above. He manages to maintain his intensity and concentration. And it's great to see him mature in this aspect because it's something that has hurt us in the past. We want to have this individual but also collective tenacity to stay focused on our game plan.
Naz Reid was also good defensively tonight. We know that it's not always our cup of tea but we feel that there is an awareness, right?
He's great, he really makes the necessary effort and he doesn't let his attack influence his defense. We saw it in the last quarter this evening. He missed a shot and on the next play, he against Draymond, and I think that gave us an open 3-point shot right away. I think these are good signs. We need everyone to contribute to becoming a team that is solid, that does not lose the thread of the match because of frustrations or decisions that we cannot control.
So, how do you explain this lackluster start to the season, particularly on the defensive level? Did you just let your guard down after the good last season?
There's a little bit of everything. There has already been the integration of the new ones. Cohesion takes time, obviously. So offensively it plays a role. And defensively, I think our problems mainly came from a lack of concentration. We let ourselves be influenced far too much by what was happening in attack, we weren't 100% focused on the small details. As you said, I think that unconsciously we thought that we were simply going to start the season at the same level as last season and with a new squad it's not easy.
Then we lost a lot of close games. We were never on the street, we were more “on” and “off”. It's like there's a switch. We took a burst of 15 points, and we pressed the button for a few minutes to come back, but we lacked consistency. Which explains our current balance sheet. Whereas there, during the last matches, I think we finally understood that we couldn't afford it. We understood that every day, every minute, we have to be focused. Afterwards, obviously, mistakes are part of the game but we don't allow ourselves to make certain types of mistakes or to make the same mistakes again.
On a personal level, by your own admissions, you were not at your level either and that has also changed since a few matches where we see you more active, more present. Your match against the Lakers in particular but also this evening where the Warriors… They finished 11/31 in the paint when you were on the court. What was your path to regaining your defensive impact?
It's a state of mind. I simply have to be dominant. I know that when I am, it sets the tone and it impacts the entire team and at all levels. Above all I focused on my intensity level and setting the tone from the first minute of the match. I was talking about consistency and precisely when I have this mentality I realize that it sets an example for the whole team, and behind it it is contagious.
Before the match, Chris Finch explained that you want to keep the same values and the same defensive principles as last season but that the path to get there was necessarily going to be different because the squad is different. In this context and as leader of the defense, is your role even more important than in previous years to be the coach's relay on the field and ensure the integration of new players?
My role has always been crucial in the teams I have been in but it is true that with the departure of KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) that leaves me even less… (he hesitates to finish his sentence). Let's say that last year, if I had a less good match, KAT came in and could take over on the rebound for example. Even in these matches where I was less good, we could get by. Afterwards what doesn't change is my leadership because no matter my performance, our defense depends a lot on my leadership, my communication, my placements. So every year it's the same and it's always my role to make sure everyone is on the same page.
We have just passed a quarter of the season, and in addition to the progress we have seen in several matches, what are the areas for improvement to once again become the best or one of the best defenses in the league?
We want to be a team that is active on defense. This is an aspect on which we still need to progress. And at the start of the season, we weren't that bad but we made too many mental errors and concentration errors. Avoidable fouls, forgetting delay screens, but also paying attention to our lost balls and our offensive execution. And all that gives 10-15 points to the other teams so if we can avoid these kinds of mistakes, we will go from top 15 defense to one of the best defenses in the league.
Finally, let's talk about Anthony Edwards. He is better defensively. I can think of several plays where he completely shut down Buddy Hield and force the Warriors to take tough shots. He also showed impeccable patience on offense to read and attack Golden State's defense. How have you seen him progress in this aspect since the start of the season?
He now realizes that during each match, the opposing defense will send him catches in pairs, even in threes sometimes. This is the ultimate respect. He understood that it is up to him to read the defense and play simple. Make the pass if someone is open. It may not be a flashy action but it's super important to punish the opposing team, and as a result we'll manage to get an open shot or a basket easier than if they had decided to keep the ball and to play one on one. He is much more in control in this type of situation and he does not hesitate to let go of the ball for the good of the team. He's entering a phase now where he's going to force our opponents to wonder if it's really a good idea to send two or three guys at him.
He also sent you to the alley-oop in the last quarter to complete the 21-4 which killed the match. This isn't always the case, so that's rather encouraging?
It was great! Two in a row, at that. It was Christmas before its time! On the second one I was in the air for a long time before the ball arrived, I was a little surprised but it was great. And that's what I was saying, he's really starting to recognize these kinds of actions on a more regular basis and that shows his evolution as a creator. Everyone knows he can score but if he also makes these passes, it will become a nightmare for the opposing team.
Comments collected in San Francisco.
