Rudy Gobert hasn’t made a smooth transition to his new team after the Timberwolves acquired him in an offseason trade, but his performance Friday indicates that things may be turning around, writes Kent Youngblood of The Star Tribune. Gobert posted 25 points and 21 rebounds and scored on six lob dunks, showing that he’s building a connection with his teammates.
“I try to just be in the right spot,” Gobert said. “Make it easy for them. And those guys have been getting better. A lot of guys [had] turnovers trying to throw me the ball earlier this season. And, every night, that’s going to happen here and there. But I really try to reward them by finishing those plays and being in the right spot.”
The Wolves talked a lot after Friday’s game about how long it takes to get used to a new teammate after a major personnel move. Kyle Anderson, who’s also in his first season in Minnesota, said he studied film of Joe Ingles passing the ball to Gobert when they were together in Utah.
“You just have to trust him,” Anderson said. “I mean, it’s hard. It is a lot of pressure on someone to come into a new team and be good in October and November. Like, that’s rare. So I think he’s getting his rhythm in the pocket. We’re starting to trust him more and he’s making the right play.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Tony Jones of The Athletic has confirmed a report by Marc Stein that the Jazz and Jordan Clarkson have discussed a contract extension. In a series of tweets, Jones cites “mutual interest in moving forward” and states that negotiations are expected to continue. Sources tell Jones that the team views the 30-year-old Clarkson as young enough to be part of the rebuilding process.
- In his first season with the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen has turned into the player the Bulls were hoping for when they traded for him on draft night in 2017, says KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Utah visited Chicago tonight, and Markkanen said he always looks forward to returning to his first NBA home. “I think I’m a better player than I was a couple years ago when I was here and I’m just getting more mature. And then being in the right system utilizes my strengths,” he said. “Being on the move is getting me to my right spots. I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do this stuff earlier on.”
- Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is getting to the point where he’s not afraid to test his surgically repaired ACL, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post. Murray turned in a vintage performance Thursday with 13 first-quarter points. “For the most part, I’m just playing out there,” he said.
Wolves over the next 2 to 3 seasons:
Wolves trade future for Gobert.
Wolves trade DLo and KAT for future draft picks.
Wolves trade draft picks to dump Gobert’s contract.
Wolves trade Anthony Edwards to get future draft picks.
Keep dreaming. I’m pretty sure Embiid is taking 2 foul shots somewhere bc I coughed earlier.
Probably on his way to the playoffs again. Can’t say they’ll win, but at least they’ll have a chance.
Lol. Whiny face Embiid is on a gurney somewhere and Harden is waist deep in stripper perfume just loving the all you can eat buffet at the spearmint rhino.
The Wolves are a mess.
Epitome of fubar
That markkanen is really something like a dirk lite. Diet dirk
If he lasts 20 years in the league, he might be mentioned in the same breath.
Diet shasta western family dirk
KAT and Rudy doesn’t work. They are both true centers. Both starting centers. It’s a total brain lock for Minny FO. They should trade Rudy while he still has value. They can build a TRUE contender then. With the value they get back.
They need a more versatile PF that actually wants to rebound. KAT seems like a high maintenance, slightly immature emotionally guy. Rudy takes his defense personally. He’s a bit too prideful. Put those two together and I imagine the locker room cohesion is taking longer than expected. Perhaps a stable veteran whose a true PG, would help them both?
A guy like Claxton is perfect next to KAT. Cause he can also cover the perimeter. Have always said they should start Noel next to KAT. For yrs. Claxton is better.
Markkanen just needed time. Today most pro teams feel the pressure to play young guys. When they should be learning slowly. In any field the young person needs time to settle in. Ballers need at least 3-4 yrs in same system to grow. Not three coaches in 4 yrs.
Markkanen has the talent and potential to be a top stretch4 in NBA. Plus he’s a good rebounder too. You just need a rim protector to watch his back on D. Good to see him playing well.
Could not agree more. Seems the Jazz are getting a lot of things right. Look at rookie Agbaji. Hardy benches him for half the season, but he keeps working and they keep him involved. Now he suddenly gets some minutes an drops a casual 19pts with some a- class D.Is he in the ROY-race? Not by far. Do they have one helluva 3&D -wing by next season and for years to come? I’m willing to bet on it.
And the other rookie, Kessler, has the talent and the size to be exactly that ring protector who has Lauri’s back. AND..Utah has loads of other good pieces already + a MASSIVE load of draft picks. The Ainge-alchemy is taking effect. Watch out for Jazz.