Target of criticism (repeated and unfair) from Draymond Green since the start of the series against the Nuggets, Rudy Gobert closed a lot of mouths last night. He even left some speechless when he scored an incredible fadeaway on Nikola Jokic's nose. It was at the limit of 24 seconds, eight minutes from the end.
“When Rudy took that shot, I told myself that it could do it, and that it would tear everything apart, and send them home” Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns laugh in unison at a press conference. The Frenchman will be the big man of this 4th quarter with 8 of his 13 points, including 4 of 5 on free throws. Before the 4th quarter, Gobert was 1 of 5 on shots… and he will go 2 of 2 in the 4th quarter.
“At the start of the match, we were a little stressed… and we didn't start the match as we wanted. But we kept our cool, and even at -20, we continued to trust each other, we continued to make “stops”… And when you do that, anything can happen! » replies Gobert at the edge of the field.
“Hats off to Rudy Gobert! »
Author of 13 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks, but also six fouls, Gobert receives congratulations from Karl-Anthony Towns for his defense on Nikola Jokic, and generally for his impact on the Wolves, qualified for the conference final West.
“Jokic is an incredible player, and his trophies speak for him” replies Towns. “But you know, we have the four-time best defender in the NBA, and I thought we did a great job of making things difficult for him, so that he would get his points throughout the series… It’s thanks to people like Rudy that our defense is unique, and hats off to Rudy Gobert! »
But the Frenchman insists, it is first and foremost a collective effort. “Nikola is the best player in the world, and he’s been playing like that for four years” recalls Gobert.
“It takes a collective effort to slow him down and we did a crazy job on him throughout the series. Collectively, we were able to cut other players, like Michael Porter Jr. We forced Jamal Murray to force it, and we prevented them from taking 3-pointers. I'm really proud of each of us in this locker room. Of what everyone produced to achieve our goals. But the job is not finished, it is only half the way. But it's a great feeling to beat a team like the Nuggets. »
