It was meant to be a battle of bigs in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. Instead, Rudy Gobert barely had to go into second gear against Jusuf Nurkic as the Minnesota Timberwolves battered the Phoenix Suns
Rudy Gobert is an open and honest man. We’ve known that for a long time. What we saw on Saturday was just how dominant he can be when chill. Jusuf Nurkic was made irrelevant by Gobert as the Minnesota Timberwolves dismantled the Phoenix Suns.
Making it look easy
The plaudits flowed freely for Rudy Gobert online throughout Game 1. Make no mistake, this clash belonged to Ant but plenty acknowledged Rudy. The front runner for NBA Defensive Player of the Year showed that he doesn’t need to be the focal point at either end. Gobert made it look effortless at times as he made Jusuf Nurkic look like a tomato can in their match-up.
When Gobert’s 14th rebound of 16 on the night was announced it took a moment to sink in. That he was playing well was obvious but it was his away from the action impact that stood out. Gobert simply made the Suns move away from him. While there were some early successes for Nurkic, calling this a battle on the glass would be an insult to the term. There was no battle. The glass belonged to Gobert and that was that.
This is the ideal Gobert
When Rudy Gobert balls out, it is fun to watch. Don’t get me wrong there. He is however at his most dangerous when he doesn’t have to show the workrate. When you can see the motor from the Frenchman, it means other issues are in play. Those issues are never good and often point to a player of his style risking getting in foul trouble quickly.
The calm and chill Gobert makes you forget about his natural physical superiority. He’s not leaning on that. His body is like a supporting cast to the main protagonist, the Rudy Gobert that can make problems go away with a thought. At least that what it looks like.
Gobert recorded a solid double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds without ever needing to seek the fire within. At Gobert at peace is a dangerous man. His emotions, even the inspiring ones, tend to show more when those around him falter. When the rest of the group is in rhythm, he simply fits in and executes.
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Edwards is the right foil
When Rudy Gobert moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves to join Karl Anthony-Towns, it looked like an orchestra over investing in the horn section. Where were the strings? Mike Conley is more than serviceable at the NBA level but it has been the acceleration of Anthony Edwards that has enabled the big man combo to gel better.
Edwards is a superstar. He just is. There’s no argument on it at this stage. KAT and Gobert have clearly been better at working off each other the better Edwards has become. They are able to fit their roles better knowing they have a serious baller in the back court to let them be themselves.
As an observer of Rudy, it’s a joy to see. Normally I love it when a big is audacious in making their presence felt. Rudy Gobert is like Yul Brynner. The latter knew that taking off his hat would draw everyone’s attention. He also knew that keeping it on would make people watch to see if he was going to take it off.
That is Gobert. Opponents must always be mindful of him exploding even though he rarely deigns to do so.
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Well, about Nurkic
Much as this was a night to fawn over Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves, we need to look at the other side. Jusuf Nurkic is never going to be the main man for the Phoenix Suns but he was left out to dry in Game 1.
If Phoenix wants to make Nurkic, or any big, a threat against the Minnesota duo in the NBA playoffs then something must change. The game they played on Saturday was one almost designed to make Gobert look good. They need Nurkic to bring Gobert out of his comfort zone. What we saw in this one was a plan to let Rudy chill out.
It’s only Game 1. Overreactions abound. It’s still not promising. As it stands, Rudy Gobert could spend half a game reading Foucault and still get a double-double.
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