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Rudy Gobert Makes Bold Claim as Minnesota Timberwolves Prepare to Face Phoenix Suns in Game 2
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Rudy Gobert Makes Bold Claim as Minnesota Timberwolves Prepare to Face Phoenix Suns in Game 2

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Christian Alamodin  |  Last updated 4/23/24

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a tough test ahead of them as the Phoenix Suns will be desperate to even the series and make the series more competitive in Games 3 and 4 at Footprint Center. It will be tough for the defense to try and contain the team’s trio of stars with how well they’ve played recently.

However, Rudy Gobert isn’t concerned with any of that. The Frenchman is enjoying his time in Minnesota after being traded by the Utah Jazz last season. He has learned to mesh well with Karl-Anthony Towns down low and work with Anthony Edwards to turn the Timberwolves into one of the toughest opponents to match in the NBA.

As the Wolves attempt to make a deep playoff run, Gobert looks back to his career and makes a bold claim on what public perception on him is.

Rudy Gobert thinks his unconventional greatness makes him rub people off the wrong way

Gobert talked about how his career has panned out so far during his ESPN interview with Tim McMahon. He accepted that plenty of players have problems with him over the course of his career.

While he understands that beefing is a part of the game, he shared his opinion on why so many NBA players don’t like him as a player:

Gobert has built a career on being a stifling defender. His accolades speak to the quality of play he’s consistently produced since being drafted in the 2013 NBA Draft. He pointed out that his multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards probably got other players mad at him for his dominant display.

This season, the Stifle Tower had a decent averages of 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.1 blocks a game on 66.1% shooting and 63.8% from the charity stripe.

Will Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves stop the Phoenix Suns in Game 2?

While Gobert is one of the best defenders in the NBA, they’re still facing a stacked Phoenix Suns side that has Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal leading the charge.

If the Wolves want to win this series, Gobert and the rest of the defense must stop their opponents from easily scoring. While the Stifle Tower can stuff most interior shot attempts, the rest of the squad must stop the Suns from doing whatever they want on the floor.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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