Last night, the Timberwolves crushed the Raptors to record their biggest victory this season with a 48-point margin. Even though he only played 27 minutes, Rudy Gobert took the opportunity to sign a 5th double-double in a row with 11 points and 15 rebounds. As usual, the Frenchman didn't need much ammunition, but his growing use in the Wolves attack is one of the keys to the franchise's success.
Beyond the increased statistics compared to last season (13.8 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per match), it is the fact that his teammates no longer hesitate to serve at the start of possession, or to let him play your defender. Of course, Gobert does not have the qualities of a Nikola Jokic or a Joel Embiid, but this confidence nourishes the collective and the Frenchman has proven that he can bring out the ball cleanly, or go looking for fouls.
Rudy Gobert demanded that we trust him
“ I think trusting Rudy is the most important thing.”, explains Anthony Edwards about the Wolves' very good season. “For example, we all trust Rudy, whether it's mo Nickeil, Mike, SloMo, Jaden, Naz, KAT… We have confidence to find him in small spaces. We are sure that when we announce a “post-up” that he will catch the ball, make his move, or make one more pass. We have confidence in him at the free throw line. It’s a long process and we know it’s going to be torn apart. »
“He’s like my brother!” »
A journalist then asks Edwards if there was a trigger to achieve this confidence. We remember that the two had discussed a lot about improving on the pick-and-roll.
“It was when he came closer to say, 'Trust me, wait for me near the circle, trust me, I'll find you.' I told him during a match that I wasn't going to give it to him right away. And he said to me, “Trust me, I will find you.” I served him and he gave me the ball again, we understood each other. And then there is this time, against Denver a few games ago. I come off the screen and he's open, and I threw a move at my defender, then I sent him to the alley-oop. We both made out, and I told him: “Dude, I found you!” Trust me ! “. He's like my brother. We talk to each other all the time. He texts me, we text each other all the time. I think everyone trusts him 100% at this point. He makes the right choice every time. »
Not content with having more weight in attack and seeing his teammates believe in him, the Blues pivot has above all become the player he was in defense again. The Wolvs have one of the best defenses in the country, and he is the favorite to win a 4th trophy for best defender of the year. Who could have imagined this at the start of the season?
