Minnesota Timberwolves space and pace with Rudy Gobert
By Brennan Sims
Welcome to the big screen
Discussing Gobert’s screening value has become a running joke on NBA twitter as many fans and media players downplay the value his screens bring. Some say he gets away with illegal screens (even his new coach), but I’d ask those thumb warriors on Twitter do the Golden State Warriors screens boil your blood the same way Gobert’s do? Or is Gobert just an easy target for likes and retweets?
Rudy Gobert on Chris Finch:
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) July 6, 2022
“A really good coach that complains about my screens all the time. So, now we are on the same side.” pic.twitter.com/rcLS1WJoNA
Either way, his screen-setting is important as makes defenders “die” on screens. Defenders get stuck when he screens them and have a tough time navigating back into the play.
Screens become one of the multiple little things that Gobert delivers. Have you ever wondered why some restaurants are smashingly successful? You go for the food, but you come back thanks to the service.
That ‘service’ is what Rudy Gobert brings to the table. And how does that help the team? Well, PG D’Angelo Russell is already more excited than he has been in a very long time.
Few players stand to benefit as much from Rudy Gobert as D’Angelo Russell.
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) July 13, 2022
He knows it, too.
“I’ve always realized that if you put a shooter and a roller next to me, I can make the game easier for everyone around me.”
Exclusive with @JonKrawczynski: https://t.co/bZWarE2C7E pic.twitter.com/j0G0sZgmNY
Getting D’Angelo Russell excited for the 2022-23 NBA season is pretty spectacular by itself. He sat in Game 6 as the Minnesota Timberwolves were shown the door by the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Playoffs. It was a turning point for the Timberwolves, as D’Angelo Russell was undoubtedly more disappointed in his performance that the fans.
Turning point? Well, that came later. Gobert is to the Timberwolves defensively as Towns is to the Timberwolves offensively. He is an NBA unicorn, that uniquely dominating player who remains one of the NBA’s best-kept secrets. Well, the secret is out of the bag now.