After an impressive run in the preseason, the Timberwolves opened their 2022-23 NBA season campaign with a tight 115-108 victory against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Minneapolis-based squad led by as much as 16 points in the game, until 6’6″ forward Eugene Omoruyi led the Thunders to a 27-5 run in the third quarter, giving his team their first lead throughout the game’s duration.
With Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards struggling, the newly-acquired Rudy Gobert spearheaded the Wolves’ offensive and defensive ends, locking the game at 87 all at the end of the third quarter after stealing a bad pass by Mike Muscala.
A neck-to-neck battle in the final quarter saw Gobert lead the charge for the T-Wolves, eventually finishing the game with a team-high double-double of 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Apart from a jaw-dropping output in his debut with Minnesota, Gobert was also able to add another record to his already excellent career, with his 16 rebounds dethroning Al Jefferson’s 13 rebound-record as the most rebounds a player has made in their debut with the Timberwolves.
Now the Wolves’ main gun, can Gobert lead his squad to a back-to-back playoffs appearance? How are the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA odds after 2 wins and 2 losses in 4 games?
Moreover, can Gobert be the missing piece Minnesota has been looking for en route to their first-ever NBA title in franchise history?
Worth The Trade
Right after the news of his acquisition, the critics immediately pointed out Gobert’s minimal offensive outputs in the previous seasons, which could not be of big help in giving justice to his trade that cost the Wolves five players, including last season’s key players in Malik Beasley and Patrick Beverley, along with five picks. Was he really worth the trade?
Well, Gobert successfully shut his critics in his debut game alone, not only leading the Timberwolves both on the offensive and defensive ends but also setting a new, remarkable record for a Wolves debutant.
In the team’s season opener, the French-native baller posted a 66.6 percent (10 of 15) success rate on the field while also registering 60 percent (3 of 5) on the free throw line. The star also chipped in two assists, one block, and one steal for the team.
Gobert followed this up in the team’s overtime loss, 126-132, against his former team, Utah Jazz, generating 23 rebounds while also adding 9 points. In his third game for the Wolves, the seven-foot-one-inch center tallied his second double-double for the Wolves with 15 points off a 77.8 (7 of 9) success rate from the field and 15 rebounds.
Just recently, despite a 106-115 defeat at the hands of the Spurs, Gobert continued to silence his critics with a perfect 4-of-4 shooting for an 11-point output with seven rebounds and three blocks against the Spurs. Statistically speaking, it is safe to say that Gobert is definitely worth the trade.
Rudy Gobert Timberwolves debut:
23 PTS
16 REB
10-15 FGSolid. pic.twitter.com/px6Gk0LsO9
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 20, 2022
What More Can The Stifle Tower Bring?
Now standing with a 2-2 slate, the Minnesota Timberwolves still have a long way to go en route to another shot at the playoffs. With the team exhibiting a couple of rough spots in their campaign so far, it is a good thing they still have the rest of the season to work on these holes.
Gobert’s presence has been of huge help in aiding these gaps in the T-Wolves’ roster, particularly in his debut game. With an ongoing nine-year NBA career under his belt, the Stifle Tower led the Wolves in their first game of the season, with KAT and Edwards struggling to find their groove.
In the following games, Gobert’s expertise, especially on the defensive end, had been essential in keeping the Wolves’ high hopes for a playoff spot alive.
“I think we just want to keep the mindset of getting better… Tonight wasn’t perfect, we still have a lot of things to work on and every day, we want to come in to get better,” the hopeful Gobert stressed in a post-game interview after the opening win against OKC.
already breaking franchise records. pic.twitter.com/Szf4AEsh1e
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 24, 2022
Long Season Ahead
Despite starting the season with a 2-2 card, it is still too early to say whether the Wolves are going to have a successful return trip to the playoffs or not. On the other hand, in order to have better chances of doing so, the Wolves will have to exhibit consistent performances on the floor.
The duo of Gobert and Towns will be crucial for Minnesota this season. So far, the two have not complemented one another’s stats that much yet, only on the third game where they posted 15 points apiece. The two have to put an end to this on-and-off connection as soon as possible, especially with the other teams also hungry for a shot at the playoffs.
McDaniels, Edwards, and Russell will also have to be consistent for the Wolves for the rest of the season. Their varying high and low outputs have been evident in the previous games’ statistics, consecutively chipping in double-digit and single-digit marks in the Wolves’ first four games.
Nowell and Prince, among other second-stringers, should also always be available to deliver for the Wolves, especially at times when the starters cannot get their offense or defense going.
So far, Nowell has been the most promising from the Minneapolis-based squad’s bench, posting an average of 14.5 points per game this season.
8th-youngest player in NBA history to reach 3,000 points 🐜 pic.twitter.com/UnkgQRVV5U
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 25, 2022
Underwhelming Offense
Contrary to their pre-season performance, the Wolves’ offense, which was previously their strength, has been underwhelming since opening the season.
The team’s main guns have been struggling to find holes in their opponent’s defensive patterns while also not being extra-creative in making plays for the team.
On the other hand, the team’s defense has been effective, spearheaded by the 3-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
The Wolves still have the rest of the season to prove themselves worthy of a playoff seat.
it's a bucket getting a bucket. pic.twitter.com/6tvZwnIgu8
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 25, 2022
Final Thoughts
With the Wolves heavily relying on Gobert’s services, the team is definitely in for a promising season.
Will we see them in the playoffs and eventually bag the elusive NBA title? We’ll see.
For the second time this season, Minnesota will face the Spurs on October 26 at the Target Center.
count the bucket ☝️ pic.twitter.com/uazvdR4LC9
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 25, 2022
Credits on Featured Image: jan fante, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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