After the victory in extremis against the Warriors at the Chase Center, the atmosphere was good in the Wolves locker room. Minnesota remains on three straight wins and is only one game away from 6th place, precisely held by the Warriors, and synonymous with direct qualification in the playoffs.
Heavily criticized at the start of the season, Rudy Gobert has become the scarecrow he was in Utah since the All-Star Game, and the center of the France team returned for DNA of Sports on his evolution during the season and that of Minnesota as the regular season approaches at its end. He was also asked to choose between Nikola Jokic and Joël Embiid for the title of MVP, and to comment on the Thomas Heurtel saga.
Rudy, the movement and skill of the Warriors makes them difficult to defend against and yet you held them to 96 points… What worked for you tonight?
It was really a collective defensive effort tonight. We were rigorous and we followed the game plan to the letter. They scored a little too easily in the first half, and our loose balls gave them some rhythm. In the second half, the guards did a great job chasing their shooters away from the 3-point line and the insides contained the key well and dominated the rebound.
Your coach said that since the “trade deadline”, you no longer need to “hide” players in defense and that you have good defenders in each position. As defense captain, do you agree with this statement?
It’s true, even if at the start of the season, I thought that with Jaden (Jaden McDaniels), Ant (Anthony Edwards), Kyle (Kyle Anderson), we had good defenders in one-on-one. I think at the start of the season, our problem was more a lack of concentration on our defense in transition, on rebound control. And as the season progressed, we made progress on this point. We can still do better but I have no problem saying that it is difficult to attack against us because we have good defenders, we have scope, size, and we must and we can be more dominant on the rebound.
“We went through a lot of hardships and we are a much better team than a few months ago”
Karl-Anthony Towns has missed more than 50 games. It’s his second game since his return, it’s the second game where he is decisive in the money time. What does it bring you that is often underestimated by observers?
It’s great to have him back and see him score all those big shots. The gravity he imposes on the pitch is underestimated. The defenses can’t let go and it opens the game for the rest of the team.
You had difficulty at the beginning of the season to acclimatize to the game of the other. With only seven games to play, is the approach different because you no longer have time to ask yourself questions?
We never asked questions, we just learn to play together every day, whether in matches or in training. We are focused on how to make the team better, and it is true that his injury has slowed things down. Despite this, our group has progressed. We have gone through a lot of hardships and we are a much better team than a few months ago. We have made a lot of progress and I really like the way we are currently playing. Obviously, in terms of results, we would like to be higher in the standings but we still have our destiny in our hands to grab the playoffs and avoid the play-in. I’m really happy with the momentum that we built.
After the win over Atlanta your coach also said that you had to find a way to perform with two greats because that’s the identity of the team. Tonight it worked pretty well. What must be done to continue on this path?
That’s why the team was built like that. We have a lot of size, but our big ones are versatile. We have greats who can move, we have greats who shoot better than most guards in this league (note: he looks at Towns, sitting next to him). We have this unique ability, whether in attack or defense, to play “tall ball” and to be able to hold a candle to a team like the Warriors who play fast and often play small. Winning these kinds of matches shows our full potential. Afterwards there will always be criticism, especially when you try to do something different, like playing with two greats. As long as we have difficulties, people will always have something to say but it’s our identity, it’s an opportunity for us to be unique. I can’t wait to see how this season will end. The most important thing is to keep building.
You feel a lot more comfortable, and you’ve been more yourself since the All-Star Game break. How do you explain it?
I took the sun, it was important for me (he laughs). I’m a diesel, I often start the season slowly. Coming to a new franchise, I needed time to feel comfortable and to raise my level of play. We also had a lot of injuries but I’m proud of the team because we didn’t not give up. We have shown character in recent months. We just got KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) back, we got Ant (Anthony Edwards) back today, and all the hard work we put in is finally paying off on the pitch.
You also picked up Mike Conley before the transfer deadline. Since his arrival, you feel more organized, the ball lives a lot more than before. What impact has he had on the franchise since his arrival? Did it contribute to your personal but also collective surge?
It’s an extremely positive impact, both on and off the pitch. He is a real professional, he is someone who is soothing, his presence really helps all the young players but also the rest of the group. He is someone who knows how to talk to his teammates. In a way, he is a teacher. He talks a lot to Ant (Anthony Edwards), he talks a lot to young people, to KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns), to me. I knew he was someone who would become very important for our team. On the pitch, I don’t need to tell you what he can do. He lets the game come to him. He knows he doesn’t need to score 20 points every night. There are nights where we need him to make the defenses pay if they give him shots, but there are games where he will be more managerial, where he makes the right decisions, where he makes sure that our attack be well oiled. That’s what has made us better since he arrived.
“I would lean more towards Jokic”
You’ve been criticized a lot since coming to Minnesota because of what Wolves let go of in return to acquire you. How do you judge your development since the start of the season?
I feel like I’m a better player now compared to the start of the season, and I would say even compared to last season. So it doesn’t necessarily show in the stats, but there are a lot of ups and downs, things that I had to adapt to. Despite that, I always put the team first. Chaining after the Euro, it was not easy either. As I said on the collective level, I am also very happy with my current level. I’m not going to lie to you, at this stage of my career what really motivates are the playoffs, it’s to get the NBA Finals, and to play for the title. In fact, I’m happy with the ups and downs we’ve had to go through this season, because we needed it and that’s also why we’ve managed to gain momentum in this final sprint.
The debate around the MVP trophy rages between Nikola Jokic, Joël Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Let’s focus on the first two that you face and have defended for years… Who has your vote for this season?
It’s difficult because they are two fantastic players. If you judge the season, and I don’t have the stats in mind, but Denver is first in the West, Jokic has been consistent throughout the season and when he’s not playing, you can see right away that it’s a lot more complicated. Afterwards, Embiid is having an incredible season… But the season is not over and I think I would lean more towards Jokic. They are both having an amazing season and I don’t think there are any wrong answers to that question.
Finally, what do you think of the French team saga – Thomas Heurtel? Are you in favor of his return to the France team?
[Il rigole] Listen, I’m not sure where we are at? What’s the last episode? I think it’s a business too, don’t forget that. Thomas has a family, and he made the best decision for his family. It’s not my role to say whether it’s good or not, and no one should allow themselves to judge their decision. Many people give lessons but in the end, what would they do if they were in his place? Thomas is a big boy. When you have a family, you make your decisions based on that. Me, in any case, I will have no problem playing in the France team with him, but it is not my decision.Interview in San Francisco.
