When it comes to Rudy Gobert, the first thing that will be talked about is his defense. That’s what happens when you are a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and still elite on that side of the court.
Gobert has not, and never will be, a huge scorer. What he also does at an elite level, though, and something that is not talked about enough, is give his team second opportunities via his offensive rebounding. That was again on display on Tuesday in a close Minnesota Timberwolves win over the Portland Trail Blazers, and Gobert was huge during the final stanza.
Rudy Gobert is one of the game's top offensive rebounders
On Tuesday night, the 33-year-old Gobert gobbled up seven offensive boards. What makes that doubly impressive is that it didn’t come on an off shooting night for Minnesota as they shot 53.4% from the field.Â
Where Gobert did Yeoman’s work was when the game was much in doubt. Checking in with 8:37 left in the contest, The Stifle Tower swallowed five boards on the offensive end for the remainder of the game. While the first two didn’t result in points, the next three resulted in a Gobert putback, a Naz Reid three, and Rudy getting fouled and making the ensuing two free throws.
In a 3-point victory, Gobert’s offensive rebounds were certainly timely. On the season, he is averaging 3.9 offensive rebounds per outing. That puts him third in the league, only behind Donovan Clingan and Mitchell Robinson. His 13.9 percent offensive rebound rate is the second-highest of his 13-year career.Â
Rudy's work on both the defensive end and offensive glass are part of the reason as to why he is one of the team's most indispensible players.
That is why it is so important that he keeps up his defensive intensity without picking up a flagrant foul. Gobert has already been suspended one game twice for his flagrant foul point accumulation, and each flagrant foul that Gobert picks up from here on out will result in a two-game suspension. With playoff seeding so tight in the Western Conference, that is something that the Timberwolves do not need.
Tuesday marked the sixth time that Rudy has secured at least seven boards on the offensive end this season. Remarkably, just once in his first 56 outings was he unable to grab at least one. Rudy’s defensive work continues to need to be applauded, but he is more than just a one-way player.