Rudy Gobert‘s decision to play Saturday with an aching left hip is reflective of the Timberwolves‘ philosophy, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Players are held out when they’re injured — Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels both missed the game — but when it’s just a matter of soreness, they reject the idea of load management and find a way to get on the court.
“There’s going to be points in the season where you’ve got to play these types of games,” coach Chris Finch said. “If you’re always resting guys, then you don’t have the resiliency to go battle through that, so I think it’s important.”
Gobert played a vital role in picking up a hard-fought win at Charlotte. He made 10 of 12 shots from the field, including eight dunks, collected 12 rebounds and had three blocks, including a late one on a Miles Bridges shot that helped to seal the game.
“Just being dominant, just being aggressive,” Gobert said. “My teammates did a great job finding me early in the game, and I just tried to be a force.”
There’s more on the Wolves:
- Chemistry between Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns was an issue last year, but it has been noticeably better this season, Krawczynski adds. Two of Gobert’s baskets Saturday night came on lob passes from Towns, and Krawczynski notes that Minnesota has a plus-24.3 net rating over its last seven games in the minutes the two big men have played together.
- Finch brought a new wrinkle to his rotation against the Hornets, per Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. For part of the fourth quarter, the Wolves had reserve big man Naz Reid on the court alongside Gobert and Towns — Finch suggested that they were his best players on the night. Towns posted 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Reid shot 9-of-14 and scored 23 points. “Naz was a huge lift off the bench,” Finch said. “It broke my heart to pull him out, to be honest.”
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker seemed like a throw-in when he was acquired in the Mike Conley trade in February, but he has become an important part of the Wolves’ success, Krawczynski states in a separate story. Alexander-Walker has been moved at the last two trade deadlines, but he feels like he has found a home. “I want to credit Minnesota as an organization — and Finch — for giving me opportunities to play through mistakes,” he said. “I’ve made mistakes this season and they’ve kept me out there. So now, that confidence, being in the present is resonating.”
Load management is a joke. 30-36 minutes every other day to play for ~$30M+ is incentive enough.
Not sure how I can see Minny advancing to the finals with the two bigs. Need to spread the love across the lineup. Moving Towns for a package that includes a PG, SG/SF and/or PF with picks depending on the players could be the way to go.
Tell me you don’t follow the team at all without actually telling me.
Didn’t say they’re not playing well. Simply stating that they could be better by moving one of the bigs. Still early in the season.
Good read on the article which included how they were successful with three bigs on the court…
Also beat just about every top team in the league. you wouldn’t know they existed by watching ESPN, but they’re #1
Not a fan of these two bigs playing . But I have to admit they are playing well. TWolves spanked the Knicks. Still plenty gms to go. We’ll see if they stay on top of the West. Finishing top 4. Would be a great yr in my eyes.
T Wolves record is bloated because of who they have played. Had a nice game against Denver, held on against Boston, good games against 6ers and NY and squeaked one out from underneath the Thunder. Everything else against bottom feeders.
They’ll likely make the playoffs especially with this start but top 3 seed is far fetched at best
They’re all still losers. A ‘L’ is a ‘L’, losers can make all the excuses they want. They actually had a really difficult schedule and also f-d up GS twice in a row too. 19 games in and 14 games have been against the top in the league…
Every team deals with stars having time on the bench due to injury (ANT and Mcdaniels) but media is only giving the opponents a break on that, good teams overcome like the wolves have done.