NBA - Timberwolves player at odds with Rudy Gobert: “We have to stop”

Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif

As we enter Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, all the talk is about the refereeing and the fouls called in favor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels don’t necessarily have the same approach.

After one game on each side, the lessons are very different in the East and West. Indeed, what emerges from the clash between the Knicks and Pacers at Madison Square Garden is that Tyrese Haliburton is the player of the playoffs for the time being, with another decisive shot to snatch overtime, and then victory. Basketball took center stage on Wednesday.

Unfortunately for the league’s image, the same cannot be said of the Thunder/Timberwolves game. On social networks and on TV, everyone was talking about one thing: the advantageous whistle blown by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Since the first round against the Grizzlies, all decisions seem to go in the MVP’s direction.

Jaden McDaniels criticizes Timberwolves defense

Inevitably, in the aftermath of their defeat, the subject was raised by almost every Minnesota player. Rudy Gobert explained that his opponents were making a lot of unwhistled fouls, but that they shouldn’t let that bother them. For Jaden McDaniels, it’s above all the Wolves who need to adapt and review their defensive approach.

I think we just need to stop making mistakes. We’re a bit too physical on this side of the pitch. We need to change our game plan depending on how the referees decide to blow the whistle. We have to expect all these things. We know that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to get whistled at, so the referees won’t always be on our side.

Jaden McDaniels doesn’t intend to criticize the referees after every game, preferring to change his defensive approach to accommodate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If the Timberwolves want to get through, they’ll have to change their approach from Game 2 onwards and make sure they limit the MVP, without fouling him. Easier said than done with such an elusive player.