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Tag: Rudy

  • Rudy Gobert Records Double-Double with 16 Points and 16 Rebounds in Loss to Wizards on February 01, 2025


    Rudy Gobert played 37 minutes in the game against the Washington Wizards on February 01, 2025, scoring 16 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, achieving a double-double. He exceeded his projections for both points and rebounds, leading the game in rebounds and blocks.

    Rudy Gobert’s performance contributed significantly to the Timberwolves, as he recorded 16 points and 16 rebounds, which helped the team maintain competitiveness in their match against the Wizards. He played 37 minutes and led the game in both rebounds and blocks, showcasing his impact on the defensive end, as well as providing scoring support.

    The Timberwolves lost the game by just 2 points, finishing with 103 points overall. Gobert’s efforts marked one of the key bright spots in the loss, as he exceeded his projections for points and rebounds, which helped keep the game close despite the final outcome.






    Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert put up an impressive performance in a tough 108-104 loss to the Washington Wizards on February 01, 2025. Gobert recorded a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds, showcasing his dominance in the paint.

    Despite Gobert’s stellar performance, the Jazz were unable to come out on top against a determined Wizards team. Gobert’s presence on both ends of the court was felt throughout the game, as he displayed his defensive prowess with several key blocks and altered shots.

    This double-double is just another example of Gobert’s impact on the game and his importance to the Jazz lineup. As one of the premier big men in the league, Gobert continues to show why he is a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.

    Although the Jazz fell short in this matchup, Gobert’s performance serves as a reminder of his skill and ability to make a significant impact on the court. With Gobert leading the way, the Jazz will look to bounce back and continue their pursuit of success in the competitive Western Conference.

    Tags:

    Rudy Gobert, NBA, double-double, points, rebounds, Wizards, February 01 2025, basketball, Utah Jazz

    #Rudy #Gobert #Records #DoubleDouble #Points #Rebounds #Loss #Wizards #February

  • Rudy Gobert’s production proving to be large indicator of Timberwolves’ success


    The Timberwolves’ 2022-23 season was largely a disaster.

    Sure, there were bright spots, but 42 wins and just five playoff games didn’t meet anyone’s expectations after Minnesota won 46 games the season prior and pushed many chips into the middle of the table to acquire Rudy Gobert during the 2022 offseason.

    The 2023-24 campaign, now that was more like it. The Timberwolves won 56 games and reached the Western Conference finals for just the second time in franchise history.

    This season is looking like something between the two. Minnesota (25-21) is four games above .500 for the first time all season after besting Atlanta on Monday in Minneapolis.

    Still, the Wolves don’t put off the scent of a championship contender. At least not on many nights.

    Why the fluctuation?

    Well, in Minnesota’s best season of the three, Gobert earned his fourth Defensive Player of the Year trophy and had the impact of the max-level player he’s paid to be. In the other two years? Often not so much.

    This year and the 2022-23 season mark Gobert’s two worst seasons — excluding the rookie season in which he hardly played — in the advanced statistics such as box plus-minus and value over replacement player. His win shares per 48 minutes from the two campaigns only eclipse the numbers posted in that rookie season and the 2015-16 season. For reference, it wasn’t until the season after that when Utah started making the playoffs with Gobert as a pillar of its defense.

    This season, he’s currently grabbing fewer rebounds and blocking fewer shots per 36 minutes played than he has at any other point in his career. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said last week that the center’s “activity level is down.”

    “His aggressiveness to challenge shots, pursue rebounds, offensively and defensively, just hasn’t been consistently where it was a year ago,” Finch said. “I don’t know if it’s a lingering effect, maybe from a long summer or a long couple years. But we’ve talked to him about it. He recognizes it.”

    Recent performances suggest Gobert may be on the upswing. He blocked three shots in a win over Dallas. He played perhaps his best game of the season in a dominant win over Denver on Saturday, and tallied another double-double against the Hawks.

    “But we need it every night,” Finch said.

    Gobert noted some games he doesn’t have as much energy. But he has to have the mindset to deliver regardless — the Wolves need him to. Minnesota has hovered around the .500 mark all season, but when Gobert produces, the Wolves are hard to beat.

    The Timberwolves are 22-10 when Gobert grabs at least nine rebounds, 22-11 when he scores at least eight points, 16-5 when he attempts at least seven shots, 16-8 when he doles out two-plus assists and 6-2 when he blocks three or more shots.

    Those are the numbers required to be a championship-contending team.

    “We know what Rudy is deep down and what kind of player is he is for our team and how vital he is for our success,” Wolves guard Mike Conley said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to make the game easier for him to get the most out of him on both ends of the floor. He’s said it publicly, and to us, that he’s going to do what he can to be better at different things that he feels he needs to improve on and the team feels he needs to improve on. And we have the utmost confidence that he’ll get back to that, and, in the process, we’ll just keep being positive with him and keep pushing him forward.”

    Recent games suggest the more Gobert can be involved offensively, the more active he is in general. It doesn’t feel like coincidence that his rebounding and defensive numbers are going up as Conley and, even more so, Anthony Edwards are getting the big man the ball.

    Sometimes it’s to score, and other times it’s in short-roll situations in the middle of the floor where he can kick to teammates. And Gobert has turned those opportunities into good looks for Minnesota. The more frequently he can do that, the more he’ll figure to find the ball in his hands.

    “He been working, man. He tell me every day, every game, ‘Trust me, trust me, trust me.’ I’m starting to trust him a lot more. That’s all it’s about, just gaining trust, putting him in those positions over and over again,” Edwards said. “He’s been making great plays. I have no reason not to throw it to him now because every time he catches it, he turns around. If the corner’s not there, he kicks it to the wing. If he cuts, he’s been bullying, making the lay.

    “He already know how I am. If you do the right thing with it the first time, I’m gonna throw it the second time. He know. He know I love him.”

    “I realized when I’m decisive and confident,” Gobert said, “(my teammates) have more confidence in me.”

    Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, right, dunks over Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
    Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, right, dunks over Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
    Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and center Rudy Gobert (27) react during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
    Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and center Rudy Gobert (27) react during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)



    When it comes to the success of the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, one player’s production has stood out above the rest – Rudy Gobert.

    Gobert, the 7-foot-1 center, has been a dominant force on both ends of the court for the Timberwolves. His presence in the paint has helped anchor the team’s defense, while his ability to score efficiently in the post has provided a reliable offensive option.

    But it’s not just Gobert’s individual statistics that have been impressive. It’s how his production correlates with the team’s success. In games where Gobert has recorded a double-double, the Timberwolves have a winning record. His impact on the glass, shot-blocking ability, and overall defensive prowess have been crucial in securing victories for the team.

    As the Timberwolves continue to push for a playoff spot, it’s clear that Gobert’s production will be a key factor in determining their success. If he can continue to dominate in the paint and elevate his game when it matters most, the Timberwolves have a real chance to make some noise in the postseason.

    Tags:

    1. Rudy Gobert
    2. Timberwolves success
    3. NBA player
    4. Utah Jazz
    5. Defensive player of the year
    6. Basketball statistics
    7. Sports analysis
    8. Winning formula
    9. Impact player
    10. Team success

    #Rudy #Goberts #production #proving #large #indicator #Timberwolves #success

  • Rudy Gobert shows what Timberwolves can be when he’s at his best


    Rudy Gobert is keenly aware of the discourse around him at any given moment.

    Some might say that is not the best way to go through life as an NBA player, especially for one of the most polarizing players in the league. Few elicit more ridicule from his critics, while his supporters see him as the sophisticated fan’s ideal of a winning player.

    There is a way for the Minnesota Timberwolves to benefit from Gobert’s self-awareness. He is a prideful player who enjoys talking about the game and proselytizing his approach to a highlight-reel-loving public that often dismisses his contributions. While some players ignore the discussion of their games, Gobert can be fueled by it.

    He heard all of the haters and doubters during his first season in Minnesota, an underwhelming season that ended with a first-round playoff exit. He heard the Timberwolves being laughed at for making “the worst trade in NBA history” when they sent a boatload of players and picks to the Utah Jazz for him. Gobert took all of that to heart and returned last season with one of the best seasons of his career, winning his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and reaching his first conference finals.

    The barbarians are at his gates again this season, and Gobert hears them knocking. He is 32 and having one of the worst statistical seasons of his career, particularly when it comes to rebounding, his pride and joy. Gobert is averaging his fewest rebounds since his second season in the league. His defensive rebound percentage is the worst of his career. He had only six rebounds in a win over Dallas on Wednesday and grabbed eight total rebounds in two close losses to Memphis this month, a shockingly low number for a player of his stature. Gobert’s rim protection has not been as menacing and his offensive production, always a point of contention for his skeptics, had fallen off a cliff.

    Thankfully for the Timberwolves, Gobert knows it. He is not in denial about his performance this season. His head is not in the sand.

    “I’ve got to be better,” he said at practice on Friday. “Don’t overthink it. Just go get it. Sometimes I overthink, which takes me out of the flow. In a way, I get distracted a little bit, with people telling me the way I should do it and I know how to rebound. So, got to trust my instincts and go get it.”

    His struggles have been at the heart of the Timberwolves’ inability to find a groove this season. The No. 1 overall defense of last season has slipped to seventh this season. The offense hasn’t improved enough to account for it. Suddenly, the three-year, $110 million contract extension he signed on opening night is starting to look a little worrisome.

    With all of that in mind, Gobert walked into Target Center for a nationally televised game on Saturday that could have shifted the assailing of his game into overdrive. He was facing a real nemesis in Nikola Jokić, a player who has toyed with him in the past and one who is steamrolling the entire league for the surging Denver Nuggets, who had won eight of their previous nine games.

    In previous seasons, the Wolves would put Karl-Anthony Towns on Jokić and have Gobert lurking off of Aaron Gordon or a Denver non-shooter to help, a strategy that worked wonders in their thrilling win over the Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs in May. But Towns is in New York, and Wolves coach Chris Finch decided to put Gobert on Jokić on Saturday, the reigning DPOY versus the reigning MVP.

    Those expecting Gobert to be embarrassed were sorely disappointed. The Wolves big man offered his most forceful performance of the season, scoring 14 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and getting four steals in Minnesota’s 133-104 victory.

    Gobert takes the responsibility of being a tone-setter for the team. When he plays poorly early, the Wolves look toothless. But when he brings it like he did in the first quarter on Saturday, there is a snarling animosity to their play that makes them look like an entirely different team.

    Defensive plays like that were solid and helped get the Wolves off to a fast start. But where Gobert made his mark was on the offensive end, serving as a hub of the offense against Denver’s drop coverage and vulnerable rim defense. He had four assists in the first quarter, matching Jokić, and finished with five in the game, his second-highest total of the season.

    “I love it,” Gobert said.” I think for me it’s just about being poised, just being patient, because I can pass. But if I go too fast, I miss those opportunities. I’m finding the balance between being aggressive and don’t try to overpass. Once I’m poised, I can do anything.”

    Gobert was 6 of 8 from the field, including a little floater and scoring through contact for an and-1. He played less than 30 minutes, but the Wolves won those minutes by 26 points. Jokić scored 13 of his 20 points in the first quarter, dished out 11 assists but also turned the ball over seven times and was a minus-24 in his 32 minutes, 24 seconds. It was only the ninth time all season that the Nuggets have lost Jokić’s minutes on the court. The previous low mark was a minus-15 in a loss to Cleveland in December.

    “He knows how much we need him,” Finch said of Gobert. “We’ve talked a lot recently about that and getting back to that.”

    Gobert’s success seemed to galvanize the rest of the team. Anthony Edwards shook off an illness that had him listed as questionable to score 34 points and dish out nine assists. Julius Randle had 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jaden McDaniels scored 13 points, grabbed eight rebounds, had four assists and played excellent defense on Michael Porter Jr. (11 points on 4-of-10 shooting).

    The Wolves bench also came through in a big way, getting 10 points from Rob Dillingham in his first shift that helped blow the game open, and 13 points and four assists from Naz Reid.

    Edwards hit three 3s, giving him 976 for his career. That moved him past Towns for first in franchise history.

    Edwards got off to a slow start in the game, but he kept finding Gobert for buckets, a duo that the Wolves have been unable to fully harness in their first two-plus seasons together. If the pairing can find any kind of rhythm, and if Gobert can reward Edwards’ faith and not fumble the ball away under the basket, that can go a long way toward boosting the Wolves offense. Minnesota has jumped to 14th in the league in offensive efficiency, but they are fourth with a rating of 121.1 points per 100 possessions over the last two weeks.

    “Rudy understands when we give it to you, you have to do the right thing with it every time,” point guard Mike Conley said. “It’s a hard thing, especially for Ant sometimes, to want to throw that pass if we’re not getting something out of it. For Rudy it’s about making the right reads early and not trying to do too much. When we can make the right reads, we’re really tough.”

    The locker room was buzzing after the game when talk turned to Edwards finding Gobert under the basket with a slick jump pass late in the first quarter.

    The Wolves shot 55.8 percent for the game, 46.7 percent from 3 and scored 72 points in the paint, 16 in transition and scored 37 points off of 20 turnovers from Denver.

    As Gobert had more and more success on offense, he started to hear the confidence his teammates derived from it. He even hit a push shot in the second half, reminiscent of his end-of-the-clock jumper in Game 7 in Denver.

    “Today I got to realize how important it is for my teammates’ confidence,” Gobert said. “The comments that they made, I realized that when I’m decisive and confident, they have more confidence in finding me in situations. For me, it’s about being decisive, being aggressive. These shots came naturally because I work on it.”

    Gobert was so effective and agile on offense in this game that he cannot be expected to do the same going forward. If he can replicate it, the Wolves would love it. But they can’t bank on such efficient, mistake-free play from him on that end.

    What should be sustainable is the rebounding. Gobert is one of the best board men of his generation, but he said he too often is lured into a hand-fighting battle as he attempts to get in position. The play of the game came with 4:37 to play in the third quarter. Gobert grabbed two offensive rebounds, and he shoveled the ball to Edwards for a 3 that gave the Wolves a 17-point lead.

    “We know what Rudy is deep down and what kind of player he is for our team and how vital he is for our success,” Conley said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to make the game easier for him to get the most out of him on both ends of the floor.”

    (Photo of Russell Westbrook, Rudy Gobert and Christian Braun: Matt Krohn / Getty Images)





    Rudy Gobert, the towering center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, put on a show in their recent game, showcasing just how dominant he can be when he’s at his best.

    Gobert’s impact on both ends of the court was evident as he controlled the paint with his shot-blocking ability and altered shots at the rim. His presence in the paint also forced opponents to alter their offensive game plan, leading to missed shots and turnovers.

    Offensively, Gobert was a force to be reckoned with, finishing strong at the rim and cleaning up the glass with his rebounding prowess. His ability to create second-chance opportunities for his team was crucial in securing the win.

    Overall, Gobert’s performance was a reminder of the potential and talent that the Timberwolves possess when he is playing at his best. If he can continue to play at this level consistently, the Timberwolves have a bright future ahead.

    #RudyGobert #Timberwolves #NBA #dominance

    Tags:

    Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves, NBA, basketball, Utah Jazz, defense, rim protector, Rudy Gobert highlights, Rudy Gobert stats, Rudy Gobert news, Rudy Gobert interview

    #Rudy #Gobert #shows #Timberwolves #hes

  • NBA players Rudy Gobert, Mouhamed Gueye nearly hit by falling debris during game


    Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert and Atlanta Hawks big man Mouhamed Gueye narrowly avoided serious injury on Monday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

    The two men were walking off the court at the end of the first quarter when a piece of debris fell from the jumbotron high above the court. Gobert seemingly felt the piece drop past his head as he walked off the floor. His Timberwolves teammates seemed to be in awe.

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    Minnesota Timberwolves mascot Crunch holds an umbrella over center Rudy Gobert during his interview after a game with the Atlanta Hawks at Target Center in Minneapolis, Jan. 27, 2025. (Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images)

    The center talked about the incident after the game.

    “It (happened) right in front of me. I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” he told reporters, via FOX 9.

    Neither player was injured in the incident.

    Minnesota was able to build upon the eight-point lead it had after the first quarter and win the game, 100-92. Gobert had 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Anthony Edwards led the team with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists.

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    Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert responds during an interview after the Atlanta Hawks game, Jan. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images)

    Gueye had four points and four rebounds in 19 minutes of action. De’Andre Hunter had 35 points off the bench for the Hawks. Clint Capela added 10 points and 15 rebounds.

    Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch wasn’t exactly happy with how his team won. Atlanta got back into the game after outscoring Minnesota 31-20 in the third quarter.

    “That was a totally unacceptable second half of basketball. If we’re trying to be a team, we’re trying to go where we’re trying to go, that’s not good enough,” Finch said.

    Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert dunks against the Atlanta Hawks, Jan. 27, 2025. (Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images)

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    Minnesota improved to 25-20 with the win but are just 12-10 at home. Atlanta fell to 22-24 and 11-14 on the road.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

    Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.





    During a recent NBA game, players Rudy Gobert and Mouhamed Gueye had a frightening close call when debris fell from the rafters and nearly hit them on the court. The incident occurred during a high-intensity matchup, causing a moment of panic for both players and fans in the arena.

    Thankfully, Gobert and Gueye were able to react quickly and avoid being struck by the falling debris. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can arise during live sporting events, and the importance of maintaining safety protocols in arenas.

    Both players were shaken up but ultimately uninjured, and the game was able to continue without further incident. The NBA and arena officials are investigating the cause of the falling debris and taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

    It’s a scary reminder of the unpredictable nature of live sports, but thankfully, this story has a happy ending with both players walking away unscathed. Let’s hope for a safe and exciting rest of the season for all NBA players and fans.

    Tags:

    NBA players, Rudy Gobert, Mouhamed Gueye, falling debris incident, basketball game, player safety, NBA news, sports headlines, athlete safety, basketball court accident, sports injuries, Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves.

    #NBA #players #Rudy #Gobert #Mouhamed #Gueye #hit #falling #debris #game

  • Rudy Gobert: T-Wolves center almost hit by falling piece of scoreboard during game




    CNN
     — 

    Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert narrowly avoided being hit by what appeared to be a falling piece of equipment from the jumbotron at the Target Center during a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.

    Gobert was walking to the bench at the end of the first quarter when what looked to be a black horn fell from the arena’s roof. It landed just a short distance from Gobert’s head, bouncing off the floor and causing the 32-year-old to jump.

    It also didn’t fall far from his Timberwolves teammate Naz Reid, who stared up at the overhead scoreboard with a puzzled look on his face. Hawks star Mouhamed Gueye also appeared to walk past where the object fell just seconds before.

    Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident and a referee removed the broken piece of equipment from the court before play continued. CNN has reached out to the Timberwolves for comment about what happened.

    Minnesota went on to beat the Hawks 100-92 in a scrappy game.

    The Timberwolves were led by Anthony Edwards’ 23 points, with Julius Randle adding another 20. After his brief scare, Gobert finished the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

    The Hawks played without leading scorer and NBA assist leader Trae Young due to an injury, but De’Andre Hunter did step up to score a career-high 35 points in the defeat.

    The Hawks have now lost five consecutive games and will hope to turn their luck around against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

    Meanwhile, Minnesota has now won three in a row and will look to continue its good run against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.



    During a recent game between the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert, the Jazz’s star center, had a close call when a piece of the scoreboard nearly fell on him. The incident occurred in the second quarter of the game when Gobert was positioning himself under the basket for a rebound.

    As he looked up, Gobert noticed a loose piece of the scoreboard above him and quickly moved out of the way just in time to avoid being hit. The close call was captured on camera and quickly spread on social media, with fans expressing relief that Gobert was unharmed.

    Despite the scare, Gobert continued to play in the game and helped lead the Jazz to a victory over the Timberwolves. After the game, Gobert downplayed the incident, stating that he was just glad no one was injured.

    The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can occur during live sporting events and the importance of maintaining safe conditions for both players and fans. Thankfully, in this case, it was just a close call and Gobert was able to walk away unscathed.

    Tags:

    Rudy Gobert, T-Wolves, center, scoreboard incident, NBA, basketball, player safety, game, near miss, close call, sports news

    #Rudy #Gobert #TWolves #center #hit #falling #piece #scoreboard #game

  • Rudy Gobert nearly hit by horn falling from Target Center jumbotron


    Timberwolves not happy despite 100-92 win over Hawks

    Timberwolves players Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley Jr. and Anthony Edwards react from the locker room after a 100-92 win over the Atlanta Hawks Monday night at Target Center.

    MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – There’s been some weird things that have happened over the years during Minnesota Timberwolves’ home games at Target Center.

    We’ve had “Glue Girl,” where a woman protesting the killing of birds at an Iowa farm owned by Glen Taylor glued herself to the court. Earlier this season, two women went onto the court using their social media influence to promote a new cryptocurrency. They were immediately tackled and taken away by security.

    Monday night against the Atlanta Hawks might have topped them all. Rudy Gobert nearly got hit by a piece of falling jumbotron at the end of the first quarter.

    What happened?

    What we know: The Timberwolves led the short-handed Hawks 28-20 after the first quarter. As Gobert and other players walked back toward the bench, something from the scoreboard fell and landed between the free-throw and three-point line. 

    “It (happened) right in front of me. I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” Gobert said post game. Asked if his life flashed before his eyes, he said, “Yes.”

    It was enough to startle Gobert and make him brace himself, and for Naz Reid to look up and see what was going on. 

    What we don’t know: What actually fell. It appeared on TV to be part of the horn we hear when there’s a substitution, the end of a quarter or a need for a stoppage in play.

    Chris Finch rips Timberwolves in win over Hawks

    How it happened: Anthony Edwards led four Timberwolves in double figures with 23 points, adding five rebounds and three assists. Julius Randle had 20 points and eight rebounds, and Gobert had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Naz Reid had 15 points off the bench.

    The Timberwolves are four games above .500, at 25-21, for the first time all season. Last year, they played 74 games when they were at least four games above .500 and finished with 56 regular season wins. It wasn’t pretty, with the Timberwolves leading 60-43 at half. They lost the third quarter 31-20 and the second half 49-40, making just enough plays to win. But it wasn’t pretty against a depleted Hawks’ team. Chris Finch ripped into his team in the locker room before speaking with reporters postgame.

    “That was a totally unacceptable second half of basketball. If we’re trying to be a team, we’re trying to go where we’re trying to go, that’s not good enough,” Finch said.

    The Timberwolves were 30-11 at Target Center last season on the way to making a run to the Western Conference Finals. After Monday night’s win, they’re 12-10 on their home floor as we’re more than halfway through the regular season.

    Minnesota TimberwolvesSports



    Rudy Gobert, the star center for the Utah Jazz, had a close call during a recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. As the players were warming up on the court, a horn suddenly fell from the jumbotron and narrowly missed hitting Gobert.

    The incident was caught on camera and quickly went viral on social media, with fans expressing their shock and concern for Gobert’s safety. Thankfully, Gobert was able to dodge the falling horn and no one was injured in the incident.

    The Timberwolves and Target Center officials have since issued a statement apologizing for the incident and ensuring that they are taking steps to prevent any similar accidents in the future. Gobert also spoke out about the incident, thanking his lucky stars and jokingly adding that he has a new appreciation for looking up before walking onto the court.

    It was definitely a scary moment, but luckily everyone walked away unharmed. Let’s hope that the necessary precautions are taken to ensure the safety of all players and fans in the future.

    Tags:

    1. Rudy Gobert
    2. Target Center
    3. Jumbotron
    4. Rudy Gobert near miss
    5. NBA player
    6. Utah Jazz
    7. Target Center incident
    8. Jumbotron safety
    9. Basketball news
    10. Rudy Gobert accident

    #Rudy #Gobert #hit #horn #falling #Target #Center #jumbotron

  • Rudy Gobert’s rebounding roller coaster is going the wrong way


    Can anyone make sense of the Rudy Gobert rebounding roller coaster?

    There are nights where Gobert is dominant on the glass, like when he pulled down 18 rebounds in Minnesota’s win over the Clippers on Jan. 6. Then there are other nights when Gobert, who is 7-foot-1, finished with fewer than five rebounds.

    It’s been mind-boggling ride considering Gobert has long been one of the best rebounders in the league. In two games against Memphis in the past week, Gobert totaled four rebounds in both games. Minnesota lost each game by two points.

    Gobert has reached 10+ rebounds in 25 of 43 games this season. In those 25 games, he’s averaged 12.7 rebounds per game. In the 18 games that he’s failed to reach double digits, he’s averaged 6.8 rebounds.

    You can see in the graph below that the trend line on his rebounding numbers is going in the wrong direction.

    Rudy Gobert's 2024-25 rebounding game log.

    Rudy Gobert’s 2024-25 rebounding game log. / Google Sheets

    The Timberwolves are 6-12 in games that Gobert fails to grab 10+ rebounds and 16-9 when he reaches double digits on the glass.

    Last week, head coach Chris Finch was critical of Gobert’s rebounding following a loss to Golden State in which Gobert failed to box out Andrew Wiggins late in the game.

    “I think Rudy’s gotta go get the ball in the air. He’s trying to play a hand-to-hand combat game and he gets tied up too much doing that. He does get fouled quite a bit down there doing that, but it’s really a hard one because you don’t know who’s initiated that. I’d like to see him go get the ball in the air, snag it,” Finch said.

    According to Basketball Reference, Gobert’s total rebound percentage — the number of rebounds he gets when he’s on the floor — is at 17.2% this season. That’s a steep decline from his first two seasons with the Timberwolves when he averaged 21.2% and 21.5% of all rebounds.

    Gobert’s rebounding isn’t the sole reason why the Wolves have struggled, but it’s an area of concern that needs to be tightened up if they’re going to be taken seriously in the second half of the season.



    Rudy Gobert, the Utah Jazz’s star center known for his dominant presence on the boards, has hit a rough patch when it comes to rebounding. Gobert, who led the league in rebounds per game for the past two seasons, has seen a significant decline in his rebounding numbers this season.

    After averaging a career-high 13.5 rebounds per game last season, Gobert’s rebounding numbers have plummeted to just 10.6 rebounds per game this season. This downward trend is concerning for the Jazz, who rely heavily on Gobert to control the glass and provide second-chance opportunities for their offense.

    There are several factors that may be contributing to Gobert’s struggles on the boards. One possible explanation could be the increased focus on scoring and playmaking from his teammates, which could be taking away some of his opportunities to grab rebounds. Additionally, Gobert’s effort and intensity on the boards have been questioned at times this season, with some critics suggesting that he may not be as engaged as he has been in the past.

    Regardless of the reasons behind Gobert’s rebounding struggles, the Jazz will need him to get back on track if they hope to make a deep playoff run this season. Gobert’s ability to control the glass and dominate the paint is crucial to the team’s success, and they will need him to rediscover his rebounding prowess in order to compete with the top teams in the league.

    As Gobert continues to navigate this rebounding roller coaster, Jazz fans will be hoping that he can turn things around and get back to his dominant ways on the boards. Only time will tell if Gobert can reverse this trend and once again establish himself as one of the top rebounders in the league.

    Tags:

    Rudy Gobert, rebounding, roller coaster, NBA, Utah Jazz, basketball, defense, defensive player of the year, statistics, struggles, improvement, analysis, trending topics

    #Rudy #Goberts #rebounding #roller #coaster #wrong

  • Rudy Gobert’s girlfriend Julia Bonilla continues to expose disturbing death messages targeting family

    Rudy Gobert’s girlfriend Julia Bonilla continues to expose disturbing death messages targeting family


    Rudy Gobert’s girlfriend Julia Bonilla has previously exposed the disturbing side of the basketball fandom. The girlfriend of the Minnesota Timberwolves star made yet another post alluding to fans sending death messages in her social media message inbox.

    On Saturday, Bonilla posted a screenshot of the series of death messages she received in her Instagram inbox. One of the messages threatened that the couple would be killed after a game. The other two messages in the screenshot exposed the disturbing death threats to her seven-month-old son Romeo.

    Posting the picture of the messages, Bonilla wrote that she had decided to get off social media in light of the creepy messages and start her New Year on a positive note.

    “Meanwhile…I’m about to go off social media for a while to start this year on a positive note. But yes this is just crazy… creepy. No words needed,” Bonilla wrote in the caption.

    Rudy Gobert's girlfriend Julia Bonilla received death threats via Instagram. [Credits: IG/@juliabnl]Rudy Gobert's girlfriend Julia Bonilla received death threats via Instagram. [Credits: IG/@juliabnl]
    Rudy Gobert’s girlfriend Julia Bonilla received death threats via Instagram. [Credits: IG/@juliabnl]

    Rudy Gobert and Bonilla welcomed their son on May 7, 2024. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year missed Game 2 of the 2024 NBA playoffs to attend the birth of his son. Gobert was also later criticized by many for missing a playoff game.

    Rudy Gobert’s girlfriend Julia Bonilla has previously exposed disturbing comments by fans

    The death threats against a member of her family aren’t the first time that Julia Bonilla has come across such a disturbing side of the basketball fandom. Last year in November, she posted a picture of the comment posted by a fan wishing for the death of players and the coaching staff in a plane crash.

    Rudy Gobert’s GF posted it on her IG story and wrote that while everyone was entitled to their opinion, the death wish of players who also have families shouldn’t be normalized.

    “I just want to quickly touch on something, and I won’t go into too much detail,” Bonilla started the long message. “I’m not looking for a debate here. I know I probably shouldn’t say anything and should just let it go, but honestly, it’s just not okay.”

    “Why have we gotten to a point where it’s normal to wish death on people just because a team lost a basketball game? We shouldn’t just brush off this behavior or accept it as normal. Sure, everyone has their opinions, but let’s remember that these are real people with families.”

    “No one should have to deal with insults or threats because of a game. Anyway, I’m going to focus on my own stuff now, but I genuinely wish the best for anyone struggling to keep a healthy mindset.”

    [Credit: IG/@juliabnl][Credit: IG/@juliabnl]
    [Credit: IG/@juliabnl]

    Rudy Gobert’s offensive caliber has always been a talking point among NBA fans and sports analysts. However, he is not as polished in the paint as other elite big men in the league. He has constantly found it difficult to score points, except for catching lobs for dunks. This liability on the offensive end has made him a target for fans in Minnesota.

    However, Gobert is not just what he does on the offensive end of the floor. He is one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history and should deserve the respect. Moreover, irrespective of what Gobert does on the court, such disturbing messages should not have any place in a game that unites people.