Author of a double-double, just in the first half, against Venezuela on Monday evening in Orléans, Rudy Gobert (13 points, 11 rebounds and 23 rating) managed a very convincing game to lead the Blues to a third success in three matches.
But the Wolves pivot knows that the results obtained in preparation do not mean much. If he appreciates the desire to serve the domestic sector, Rudy Gobert is also well aware that the level of requirement will go up a notch with the double opposition that comes against Lithuania, starting tomorrow.
“One of the best preparations I have experienced”
Rudy, you have already experienced quite a few summers in Blue, what are your reactions after a third victory in three preparation matches? Is it one of the best you’ve been to?
“In terms of the state of mind, the concentration, the overall energy of the group at each training session, it’s true that it’s one of the best preparations I’ve experienced. What counts are not the victories but the fact that we progress every day. We play very different teams that force us to be better. »
Against Venezuela, you insisted inside with a lot of balls for you and Moustapha Fall at your relay, was this an instruction from the staff before the match? And an indication for the rest of your summer in Asia…
“We tried to press that on this game because it was a small team overall [en termes de taille] but, for me, we have a team that can dominate inside against a lot of opponents. We want to progress [les intérieurs] on the positions taken, and the exteriors, on the passes to come find us, and on the spacing and the placement to bring out the balls. We have done great things on this point, we are gaining momentum at this level. »
We imagine that the presence of Nando De Colo and Nicolas Batum, 6 assists for the first and 3 for the second, should help you in this sense…
“I missed Nando and Nico a lot last year [petit rire]. They are two players who see everything before the others, so naturally they are altruistic. They make the game easier for everyone. And it’s contagious in the team. When they make the passes, Evan looks for me more too. It’s up to me to give my teammates confidence in my positions so that these actions are positive and that it balances our game.
“It gives the impression that we are six on the ground”
We know that zone defense was another point of work this week in training, how do you assess the progress of the team in this area, and the communication that goes with it?
“We are progressing. The position of the zone is not the most important. The most important thing is playing the game and communicating. The first two matches, it was complicated when we played in the zone and tonight it was better. It forces the opponent to think, and with the qualities we have, it gives the impression that there are six of us on the field. We will continue to work on it. This area can be a formidable weapon in the tournament and it can destabilize a lot of people. »
Rebounding was also one of your pet sins lately, sanctioned by your training staff, have you found that the team is progressing on this other fundamental point?
“We know full well that we won’t be able to achieve our goals if we can’t secure our defensive rebounds. Getting offensive rebounds is heartbreaking, especially when you’re a good defense, and especially for a team like us who defend hard. Defending twenty seconds and taking a basket on offensive rebound is both demoralizing for us and it gives energy to the other team. We know it’s very important and we adopt good habits to do better in the field, from post 1 to post 5. We have to set the tone from the first quarter, to show that it won’t be “open doors”. We were better in this match, we go below 10, that’s good, but we have to go below 5. “
“I’ve been playing against Jonas Valanciunas since I was 18”
You will continue against Lithuania on Wednesday, who have a much denser interior sector, what type of adversity do you expect?
“It will be a very good test for us. We need to play teams of this caliber in preparation. There is never an easy game against Lithuania. They have a lot of talent, and they always manage to make the match complicated. I’ve been playing against Jonas Valanciunas since I was 18, so I’m getting to know him! He has been the mainstay of this team for the past ten years. It will be up to us to level up, it will be a good test. »
The five major seemed a bit messy at the start of the match, and then, when the second half resumed, you felt much more determined, with a 12-4 in particular, was it the same feeling from inside ?
“I don’t really remember how we started the game… [Vincent Collet le coupe : « on défendait bien mais on a été maladroit »]. It happens, not all shots will fit. The important thing is the state of mind… [Collet en rajoute une couche : « on était moins patient, on a moins renversé la balle » (rires)]. He has a better memory than me [rires] ! No, but with the adrenaline, not everything was perfect at the start of the match. I liked how we defended. As long as we defend, we know that it will go well for us. »
Interview in Orléans
Photo credit : Lenoir/The Agency/FFBB
| Rudy Gobert | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2013-14 | UTH | 45 | 10 | 48.6 | 0.0 | 49.2 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2.3 |
| 2014-15 | UTH | 82 | 26 | 60.4 | 0.0 | 62.3 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 9.5 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 8.4 |
| 2015-16 | UTH | 61 | 32 | 55.9 | 0.0 | 56.9 | 3.4 | 7.5 | 11.0 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 9.1 |
| 2016-17 | UTH | 81 | 34 | 66.1 | 0.0 | 65.3 | 3.9 | 8.9 | 12.8 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 14.0 |
| 2017-18 | UTH | 56 | 32 | 62.2 | 0.0 | 68.2 | 3.0 | 7.8 | 10.7 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 13.5 |
| 2018-19 | UTH | 81 | 32 | 66.9 | 0.0 | 63.6 | 3.8 | 9.0 | 12.9 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 15.9 |
| 2019-20 | UTH | 68 | 34 | 69.3 | 0.0 | 63.0 | 3.4 | 10.1 | 13.5 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 15.1 |
| 2020-21 | UTH | 71 | 31 | 67.5 | 0.0 | 62.3 | 3.4 | 10.1 | 13.5 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 14.3 |
| 2021-22 | UTH | 66 | 32 | 71.3 | 0.0 | 69.0 | 3.7 | 11.0 | 14.7 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 15.6 |
| 2022-23 | MIN | 70 | 31 | 65.9 | 0.0 | 64.4 | 3.3 | 8.3 | 11.6 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 13.4 |
| Total | 681 | 30 | 65.4 | 0.0 | 63.9 | 3.3 | 8.3 | 11.7 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 12.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
