The Minnesota Timberwolves have pleasantly surprised the NBA by becoming the top team in the league with a record of 18-7. Many expected championship contenders such as the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns to hold the best record, but it is the Timberwolves who have come out of nowhere and rose to the top.
It is the steady play of former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert that has been the catalyst for this remarkable success. Gobert has been the defensive presence the Timberwolves needed to anchor the team, playing a career-high 33.7 minutes per game and averaging 13 rebounds per game. His defensive prowess has allowed Minnesota to hold opponents to only 43.1% shooting from the field.
On the offensive end, Gobert has also been a factor, averaging 14.6 points per game and shooting a respectable 58.3% from the field. He is also shooting a league-high 70.3 percent from the free-throw line, a testament to his accurate shooting touch. His efficiency has made a tremendous difference for the Timberwolves, as he is often the one to generate easy points for the team.
Gobert’s playing style has been a major contributor in helping the Timberwolves become the top team in the league. His ability to protect the rim and rebound effectively has given Minnesota an edge on the defensive end. But it is his offensive efficiency that has been the difference-maker. With Gobert being able to score in the post and make timely shots off pick-and-rolls, the Timberwolves have been able to keep opponents on their toes.
Gobert’s continued dominance should keep the Minnesota Timberwolves at the top of the league. He is currently averaging career highs in almost every statistical category and his performance this season has been bordering on the extraordinary. He has been the key for the Timberwolves to reach the heights they have, and with Gobert’s help, they should continue to remain in contention for the top spot in the NBA for the remainder of the season.
Analysts and experts are raving about Gobert’s performance this season and have given him great praise. Former Dallas Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki said that Gobert has been “phenomenal this season” and that he is one of the best defensive big men in the league. Kevin McHale said that Gobert “has been a defensive force” and that he “has been a major part of why the Timberwolves are where they are now.”
Rudy Gobert, the defensive stalwart, has been the main driving force behind the Minnesota Timberwolves’s incredible success this season. His ability to protect the rim, rebound, and score efficiently has made him a valuable asset to the team. With Gobert leading the way, the Timberwolves should remain as a championship contender in the NBA.
