Minnesota Timberwolves are getting the ball to C Rudy Gobert

Fouling Gobert is a thing

For a player that “can’t score”, Gobert sure does draw a TON of defensive fouls. According to cleaning the glass, Gobert is fouled on 20.3 percent of the shots he takes. That number ranks in the 77th percentile amongst bigs this season.

There are a plethora of reasons why defenses continue to foul Gobert even though he isn’t the most prolific scorer.  In the pick and roll, smaller players have to make a decision with Gobert. Allow the easy pass over their head or wrap Gobert up? Most guards go with the latter.

Gobert is an average at best free throw shooter. The truth of the matter is that you make the decision to take the percentages. Gobert’s career shooting at the foul line, believe it or not, is less accurate than his shooting percentage from the floor. His career shooting from the floor is currently better than 65 percent, while his shooting from the free throw line is under 65 percent.

Make the decision to take the percentages.

And so, it’s perfectly logical for the coach’s strategy to revolve around fouling Gobert when he touches it. That’s fine, but key players getting in foul trouble is an issue. Or when you play players that usually wouldn’t play as an extra body to foul Gobert, that usually won’t work out.