Rudy Gobert is a walking top-10 defense. That statement has long been made about the Minnesota Timberwolves big man. Indeed, during 10 of the past 11 seasons, Gobert-led defenses have ranked in the top 10, including three top-ranked defenses per Cleaning the Glass.
However, with the Wolves' offseason changes, the now 34-year-old Gobert has perhaps never had more defensive responsibilities. Yes, Julius Randle and Naz Reid weren't positive defenders, but having this extra frontcourt size made Gobert's life easier at some level.
Without a doubt, Gobert will have more responsibilities, playing alongside LaMelo Ball and a more perimeter-centric team.
Why Gobert should be able to lead the Timberwolves to a top-10 defense again
Now, there's some real evidence that Gobert is more than capable of leading Minnesota to a top-10 defense once again. Firstly, the Wolves' defense was 11.8 points per 100 possessions better with Gobert on the court last season. During his time with the Utah Jazz, Gobert also played with teams that were constructed similarly, as they were perimeter-centric and smaller.
More recently, Gobert proved he remains an elite one-on-one defender by shutting down Nikola Jokic in the first-round of the playoffs. Gobert mainly guarded Jokic on an island in this series.
Whether it's shutting down stars one-on-one or single-handedly changing opposing players' mindsets, Gobert is still a game-changing center.
And while the Wolves' defense didn't get better, they still have some talent around him. Jaden McDaniels is an elite point-of-attack defender, and based on Chris Finch's comments, it sounds like the Wolves want to keep him in this role. Anthony Edwards could become a two-way star with more buy-in. Ayo Dosunmu is clearly a positive defender. Jaylen Clark is a defensive menace.
Last season, the Wolves ranked sixth in defensive rating, which indicates they can withstand the roster changes. The point is, they have adequate talent (on paper) to support Gobert even with the lack of size around him.
The Timberwolves might be asking too much of Gobert
Despite the reasons for optimism, it's far from a guarantee that the trend of Gobert being a walking top 10 defense can continue.
The Wolves still need to add a power forward either via free agency or the trade market. It's unclear who they can realistically target, though, and at this point it's fair to suggest the Wolves will be at a disadvantage guarding physical forwards, which, in turn, will put more pressure on Gobert around the rim.
Gobert will also need to cover up for Ball's inevitable mistakes. It's worth wondering what if Edwards doesn't reach the top defensive gear we know that he has. And how will Ayo adapt to guarding wings full-time? These are valid questions and concerns, paired with Minnesota's lack of a natural four.
Then there's the age factor. Yes, Gobert has shown no signs of decline, but at 34, you always wonder if he will lose a step at some point. This is especially the case when the roster doesn't exactly make Gobert's life easier.
Gobert has defied Father Time up until this point, and he remains an otherworldly defensive anchor, but there's no denying that there's a lot of weight on his shoulders this upcoming season.
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