Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is playing at an extremely high level right now and the All-Star believes this is the best version of himself.
“Not even my old self. I feel better than I’ve ever felt because I feel like I’m stronger than I’ve been,” Gobert said, via The Athletic. “And I just see the experience that I have now, and you add that to the rest of the abilities that I have, I think that’s the best that I’ve been.”
The Timberwolves improved to 5-2 on the season after beating the New Orleans Pelicans on November 8. Gobert finished with 17 points, 21 rebounds and two blocks in 32 minutes of action.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to set the tone for the team and be who I can be,” Gobert said. “I know that if I’m doing those things, there’s only one person who can do the things I can do defensively. It’s about being consistent.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
The Timberwolves have the No. 1 ranked defense in the league. Gobert is averaging 12.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.1 blocks on the season while shooting 55.4% from the field and 60.0% from the free-throw line.
“We’re hungry. We know it’s early in the season, but we’ve been setting the tone,” Gobert said. “I like the foundation that we’re putting together right now and we started (to build) since day one of training camp.”
The Timberwolves lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. They haven’t won a playoff series since 2004. With a rejuvenated Gobert, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns leading the charge, Minnesota could make some noise in the West this season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
“Being able to keep your mind open and being able to adapt, I think this is the strength of the best teams in the world,” Gobert said. “And I feel like right now we are creating our identity. And soon enough, I think people are gonna have to adapt to us and not the opposite.”
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