4 of Timberwolves starting 5 make BR Top 100 NBA Players

Number 20

I’m not sure that many Minnesota Timberwolves fans truly appreciate what All-Star center Rudy Gobert can deliver to the team. Certainly, the focus at the time of the trade that acquired him was all on rim protection and defense, and he will most certainly be able to deliver on that front. In fact, when the Brooklyn Nets opened their preseason game with the Timberwolves, their offense opened with five guys starting their offense at the perimeter.

But lost in the translation is what Gobert delivers to the Timberwolves’ entire team. While not much of that full potential showed up in the preseason, there were flashes of what he could deliver for the team as a whole. Gobert shot six times from the floor and made all six shots. That almost certain scoring ability will make life much easier for point guard D’Angelo Russell, who found Gobert at the basket on more than one occasion.

Getting acquainted at first, then getting hot

The Timberwolves are just now learning how to take advantage of having Rudy Gobert on the basketball court. His teammates are learning to trust Gobert’s ability to defend near the basket, allowing them to be more active defensively on or near the perimeter.

Meanwhile, Gobert must learn to accept that he is very much a part of this Timberwolves offense. That has not often been the case in his past.

But it most certainly is this season.

You will read a great deal about the clunky, unconventional, and awkward Timberwolves frontcourt over the next several days. And if you are looking for reasons to dislike or disapprove of Rudy Gobert’s presence on the Timberwolves roster, now is the time to load up on ammunition.

But I witnessed an entirely different story in the Timberwolves’ debut of the Twin Cities Twin Towers. I saw a smile flash on the face of Karl-Anthony Towns as he flipped a behind-the-back pass to Gobert in the paint for an easy bucket.  I witnessed Rudy Gobert draw a double team, and then pass the ball effortlessly to a wide-open Towns who sank an easy three-point shot. I suppose you see what you want to see.

Other saw two big players struggle in their first opportunity to play NBA basketball on the same team. But I witnessed something entirely different. I saw two elite NBA basketball do something they have not done in a very long time. Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns had fun.

When that happens, the pair becomes very dangerous indeed.