Rudy Gobert ☆ Follow

Starts 3 of 3 games · 1st on MIN in minutes · Core role

Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points

Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.

Every situation, with four seasons of history →

No reporter post or news story has named him yet this season; everything below is from podcasts.

• Podcast Locked On Wolves host · Report · 5 h ago wording unclear in audio

  Rudy Gobert had 8 points, missed all four free throws, and had 13 rebounds and a block. No other Wolf had more than six rebounds.

  “Minnesota Timberwolves DOMINATE Toronto Raptors, Remain Unbeaten | Another Offensive Barrage From Wolves” at 30:29 · listen ↗

• Podcast Ben Beacon (Locked On Wolves) (reported), via Locked On NBA · Relayed report · Oct 24 around the league

  Minnesota beat Orlando 115-93 and is 2-0. Ant scored 15 on 5-of-23. Jaden McDaniels scored 15, fantastic for a second straight game. Ayo Dosunmu had 14 off the bench. The Wolves grabbed 22 offensive rebounds, with Rudy a big part of that.

  “BEST NBA NIGHT EVER! YOU HAD TO BE THERE!” at 26:43 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Magic · 2 points · Oct 24
  • Minnesota offensive rebounds by player: 'Joe and Baron J' 7, McDaniels 3, Rudy Gobert 3, LaMelo Ball 3. at 7:10
  • Rudy Gobert deterred the Magic all night: Franz Wagner passed up a clear first-half layup for a three. On the opening play, a designed look got Franz a layup at the rim that McDaniels blocked. at 16:29

  “WARNING SIGNS: Orlando Magic struggle to PIECE team together, fall to 0-2 in opening homestand” · listen ↗

• Podcast Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective · 2 points · Oct 23
  • In the opener against Miami, Anthony Edwards scored 45 points, a lot of it on isolation. Rudy Gobert went 0-for-2 from the floor. at 35:26
  • Rudy Gobert is grabbing rebounds and quickly heaving outlets to start the break and get the ball to LaMelo and Ant. at 35:13

  “Luka Gets Called Out As Lakers Dominate + Who Made A Game 1 Statement?” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Herd with Colin Cowherd host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  For the Wolves, Jaden McDaniels played great coming off his contract extension. Jonathan Kuminga was solid, and Gobert was great defensively. Minnesota won by 25.

  “What's Wright - NBA Opening Night REACTION, Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye, Chiefs-Seahawks MASSIVE game” at 36:37 · listen ↗

• Podcast Gil's Arena · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  Brendan Haywood said that in past years Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert clogged the paint when Edwards isolated. Now Jaden McDaniels plays the 4 and spaces the floor, Gobert stays under the basket, and Jonathan Kuminga can be subbed out for another shooter.

  “Luka's Snowtime Lakers COOK GSW, Ant-Man & Lamelo WENT CRAZY vs MIA & AD Goes VINTAGE In D.C.! Part 1” at 49:54 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 3 points · Oct 23
  • Jack's view of roles: Edwards and LaMelo are the stars, with some combination of Dosunmu, Jaden, Rudy and Kuminga doing the little things. at 9:34
  • Joan Beringer, for how he competed off the bench, and Rudy Gobert, for his work inside, were also mentioned as X-factor candidates. at 14:13
  • Jack thought Trey Lyles looked much better: good passes to Rudy Gobert for dunks, a couple of made threes, and 5 rebounds in 16 minutes. at 16:58

  “WOLVES POSTCAST: T-Wolves CRUISE PAST ORLANDO MAGIC In Total Team Effort, 115-93” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 4 points · Oct 23
  • The host describes the regular starting lineup as the core four plus Jonathan Kuminga. The small-ball lineup is the core four plus Ayo Dosunmu, whom he assumes is the sixth man. at 2:43
  • Danny Chow (The Ringer) (quoted): Ringer article by Danny Chau, June 25: Ant and Melo warping coverages makes Gobert as essential as ever as a lob threat; Edwards-era Wolves have never reached a top-five offense; Ball's arrival cracks open that possibility. at 7:36
  • First-quarter set, run multiple times: McDaniels comes up to screen the man guarding LaMelo Ball, then slips. Ball rises from deep and dumps the ball to McDaniels near the free-throw line for a floater, with Edwards and Kuminga in the corners and Gobert in the dunker spot. at 16:10
  • The host is concerned about running the McDaniels slip action a lot. It takes the two best offensive players out of the play, and Gobert and Kuminga are the two worst shooters among the five, so spacing would be poor in theory. at 19:16

  “How The Minnesota Timberwolves' Offense DOMINATED | Unlocking Jonathan Kuminga & Jaden McDaniels” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Zach Lowe Show · 2 points · Oct 22
  • Zach Lowe: Lowe suggests watching the Wolves use Kuminga and Gobert as double and stagger screeners to ease their spacing problems. at 26:43
  • Zach Lowe: Lowe says Gobert is now extension-eligible and wonders what the McDaniels deal signals: will Gobert take a big discount, or will he still be in Minnesota in three or four years? at 51:18

  “Opening Night Overreactions, Alarming Trends, Hot Takes, and More!” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Herd with Colin Cowherd host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  Minnesota moved off Julius Randle and got LaMelo. The host says the team had become too plodding and slow with Rudy Gobert and Randle.

  “THE HERD – HOUR 1 – LeBron and Lakers both won the divorce I Caleb Williams vs Drake Maye” at 42:48 · listen ↗

• Podcast First Take host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  Rudy Gobert had 15 points. The analyst described him as a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year anchoring Minnesota's defense.

  “Hour 1: Does LaMelo Ball unlock an MVP year for Anthony Edwards?” at 4:01 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points · Oct 22
  • Analysis, probably Matt's: Finch brings a screener into LaMelo Ball's actions every time. Defenses then have to account for Gobert slipping to the rim or Jaden McDaniels moving into space. at 3:15
  • A host's view: this was a tough matchup for Miami. Gobert could guard Giannis one-on-one and Minnesota had big bodies to put in front of him, so the Wolves could mostly stay home on Giannis and take away the others. at 19:09

  “Timberwolves SCARY Backcourt & Warriors Disastrous Start” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  A host argues Rudy Gobert's screening creates a lot of space for LaMelo Ball and says Ball has never had a screener of Gobert's level.

  “Wolves Make a Big Statement in Miami + Luka’s Showtime Era Begins” at 5:45 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Prediction · Oct 22 around the league

  Gavin (inferred) says Rudy Gobert had a quiet game and expects him to get more involved offensively, while calling him still an elite defensive backbone.

  “GAME NIGHT: Ant/LaMelo SHINE in Debut, Luka talks trash, Ty Jerome goes OFF” at 4:14 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 8 points · Oct 21
  • Host's opinion: Ball's second half wasn't great. Some of his pick-and-roll decisions missed chances to get the ball to Gobert, which the host thinks may change, perhaps depending on the opponent. at 3:19
  • Wolves shot 62% from the line. That includes garbage-time misses by Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr, and Gobert went 5 of 8. Host says free throws need to improve. at 16:59
  • Gobert got few offensive chances: 5 points on two shots, the first not until the third quarter, plus 15 rebounds. He did get to the line 8 times once the Wolves started finding him as the lead grew. at 28:48
  • Host thinks Gobert will get more offensive opportunities going forward, partly because Bam and Giannis take up more space than most opponents. He expects film to point this out. at 15:33
  • The offense slowed down in the second quarter when Edwards sat. The non-Gobert minutes were rough defensively. at 4:49
  • Because of the blowout, nobody played more than 33 minutes. Gobert's 33 was the most mentioned. at 21:31
  • Host thinks the Wolves would like to get Beringer to 16-18 minutes so Gobert plays 29-31 minutes max. He says that depends on matchups, foul trouble and how Beringer plays. at 30:50
  • Host says this isn't a cause for alarm given the tough matchup. at 31:28

  “Anthony Edwards DROPS 45 POINTS As Minnesota Timberwolves CRUSH Heat In LaMelo Ball's Debut” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 4 points · Oct 21
  • Jack Borman: Borman says the Wolves got killed inside whenever Gobert was off the floor. He doesn't think Trey Lyles is big enough to protect Joan Beringer against bigger, more physical frontlines. at 5:10
  • Jack Borman: Borman credits Jaden McDaniels and Gobert with disrupting Giannis's timing in the half court, which fed early offense. He says the Wolves showed Giannis a crowd and made it hard for him to make plays. at 9:44
  • Jack Borman: Borman notes free throws were problematic for him last year, when they took a big step back. at 10:42
  • Jack Borman: Giannis scored 26 in 26 minutes with Gobert on and 9 in 4 minutes with him off. at 10:54

  “WOLVES POSTCAST: Anthony Edwards and Timberwolves ROUT Miami Heat—45-Point NIGHT SIGNALS Big SEASON” · listen ↗

• Podcast All The Smoke host · Opinion · Oct 21 around the league

  Opinion: Kuminga is at his best at the four alongside LaMelo, McDaniels and Gobert. The speaker calls this a big year for him and says his issues are 'between his ears'.

  “Jalen Hurts Deserved BETTER Than This” at 57:21 · listen ↗

• Podcast Jared Dubin (reported), via The Athletic NBA Daily · Relayed report · Oct 21 around the league

  A stat from Jared Dubin: in the two seasons after the Randle trade, at least two of Gobert, Reid and Randle were on the floor for 89.7% of Minnesota's minutes when all three were healthy. The host said two of those three are now gone but did not name which two.

  “BIG NBA Questions: Slam N Jam LIVE!” at 15:18 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves host · Prediction · Oct 21

  Host expects that when a game is out of hand either way, the Wolves will rest Rudy Gobert sooner and give Joan Beringer more run.

  “HOW MANY WINS Will The Minnesota Timberwolves Have? | Predicting The Wolves' Bench + West Finish” at 18:45 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Mismatch host · Analysis · Oct 20 around the league

  Minnesota concerns: whether the LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards (Ant) pairing works, the lack of a power forward, and Gobert. Three of last year's top six players are no longer on the team.

  “Gearing Up for the Best Regular Season Ever” at 24:54 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 6 points · Oct 19
  • Ben Beecken: Ben says a Rudy Gobert team has a top-10 defense as its floor. at 7:10
  • Ben Beecken: Ben predicts Gobert scores more than last year, back in the 13-14 points per game range, with rebounding rising from 11.5 per game toward 12. at 29:14
  • Ben Beecken: Ben ties Gobert's low scoring last year to the Wolves not really having a point guard. He expects LaMelo Ball, whom he calls one of the league's most prolific pick-and-roll operators, to boost Gobert as a lob threat. at 27:37
  • Ben Beecken: Ben says Gobert led the league in field-goal percentage last year at 68%. at 29:43
  • Zach Cram (as heard) (quoted): ESPN bold prediction from a writer heard as "Zach Cram": Minnesota finishes with its best offensive ranking and worst defensive ranking since trading for Gobert, because the Ball trade downsized the roster. name not confirmed at 31:20
  • Ben Beecken: Ben disagrees with the defensive half of the ESPN prediction: he does not think this is the weakest defensive group around Gobert and McDaniels. He agrees the best-offense part is probably true. at 31:47

  “Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions: LaMelo Ball's Impact On The Starters + How Good The Offense & Defense Will” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Open question · Oct 19 around the league

  Dan's guess is a Wolves closing group with four locks (LaMelo, Gobert, Edwards, McDaniels). He thinks Kuminga came to Minnesota believing he could start and maybe close, and asks whether Kuminga will still be starting a few months from now.

  “1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” at 35:25 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · Oct 18
  • Sam Amick (quoted): The host reads from Sam Amick (The Athletic), who describes Edwards, Ball, McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga and Gobert as forming one of the most intriguing starting fives. at 29:14
  • Host analysis: next to Edwards, Ball will get catch-and-shoot looks off the ball and assists on the ball. When defenses load up on him he can pass to Edwards and McDaniels or throw lobs to Gobert. at 31:30

  “Minnesota Timberwolves' ROSTER MOVES Open A Two-Way Spot | How Will Wolves Fill The Roster?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 3 points · Oct 16
  • The host thinks Jaden McDaniels will be the main beneficiary of Ball and Edwards, with Gobert maybe next. In his view this will hold back Kuminga's counting stats. at 11:33
  • The host says Jonathan Kuminga will not be the clear third option, with McDaniels in the mix and Gobert also getting plenty of opportunities. at 12:10
  • NBA GM survey (reported): Best interior defender: Gobert got the only non-Wemby vote, which the host says came from the Spurs because they could not vote for their own player. at 26:01

  “Minnesota Timberwolves SURPRISE In NBA GM Survey: How High Did GMs Rank The Wolves? | Ant for MVP?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 8 points · Oct 15
  • Lyles played with Gobert more than in earlier games, mostly because of foul trouble for Joan Beringer. at 4:20
  • Host calls the Ball-Gobert pick-and-roll a positive overall. On the three short-roll plays he tracked, Gobert made the right decision twice and converted twice. at 8:18
  • Example of a poor decision: in the first quarter, Gobert tried to dunk out of the short roll instead of kicking to Ayo Dosunmu, who was open in the corner for three. at 8:42
  • Host thinks Gobert in the short roll can be a weapon and will be a big part of the offense this season. at 11:17
  • Third-quarter highlight: Kuminga timed a baseline cut off Edwards' drive instead of staying in the corner, then passed to Gobert for a dunk. Host calls it picture-perfect ball movement. at 16:24
  • Detroit scored 64 paint points (host first said 62, then corrected himself). Host blames the perimeter defense more than the bigs, who he says protected the paint pretty well. at 21:29
  • Rebounding: the Wolves allowed 10 offensive rebounds. Lyles had zero rebounds in 15 minutes. Gobert had 4 rebounds (all defensive) in 22 minutes. Beringer had 7 rebounds, 4 offensive and only 3 defensive, in 18 minutes. at 22:32
  • Host projects Beringer to average about 18 minutes, with Gobert playing about 30 a game. He says Beringer will not play alongside Gobert, at least to start the season, unless he quickly develops a jumper. at 28:02

  “Minnesota Timberwolves' Offense Starts Fast But Defense Falters In Dress Rehearsal vs. Pistons” · listen ↗

Podcast items are our short summaries of what was said, credited to who said it; posts and stories link to the original. Opinions and rumors are labelled as such and are not checked facts.