Is Minnesota better without Gobert?

[Ugly Duckling]

Seems like they played much better in game 2 without him slowing them down and clogging up the paint.

[XtremeDunkz]

How about game 1? Can we not over analyze a single game please.

[Black Jack]

I thought the Towns and Reid combo was bothering Jokic a lot more actually.

[One_and_Done]

I was worried beforehand that Gobert coming back would hurt them.

[Tor_Raps]

Why do people react to things after 1 game like it's the definitive answer every time? We went from Joker being overrated after 2 games to Gobert should be benched after 1 game lol.

Like I understand saying there are some aspects that Minny can thrive better without Gobert but he has a long track record of clearly being better on the court for practically every team he's played on for a reason.

[Handlez]

This world will end soon.

[SUPERVILLAIN]

Game 2 refs simply f*cking sucked.

Timberwolves won game 1 with Gobert. Game 2 was a blowout because the refs were very inconsistent in the 1st half and that killed the Nuggets.

[famicommander]

No.

They had a 12-4 record in the regular season when Gobert played and Towns didn't. Are they better without Towns? The answer to that is also no.

[AleksandarN]

[multo]

It wasn't because of Gobert. Denver adjusted and executed pretty well from Game 2 and would have won with or without Gobert.

[doogie_hauser]

Didn't we have this same conversation about KAT not so long ago ?

To.summise no.

Not a fan of.his, but Gobert has brought a new level of defensive pressure and professionalism and standards to Minnesota that simply cannot be measured with box scores/stats.

It was just an off night for him and his teammates, it was naive for anyone (esp Bill Simmons) who thought Denver would willingly roll over and be swept.

Now the Wolves are in a dog fight, but I do think they have the maturity and belief to close this series out, esp with Gobert going to work in the paint.

I half expect a should Denver trade Joker if they lose game 4, the cold takes on this board after one game is absolutely hilarious!

[Tottery]

The downside of the Wolves is their lack of experience. First 2 games they played with great defensive intensity. I didn't see it this game. They were more relaxed on that end. They have to learn they have to play with that defensive mindset every single game. It's a learning experience. Let's see how quick they learn.

[Manimal]

Nah Gobert is the key to this series. He's the DPOY for a reason. He owns Jokic and always has, tbh.

[Handlez]

Nah Gobert is the key to this series. He's the DPOY for a reason. He owns Jokic and always has, tbh.

Lol

[Gary Cokeman]

Nah Gobert is the key to this series. He's the DPOY for a reason. He owns Jokic and always has, tbh.

Lol

Brother, I have 47.

[TheFire]

Nah Gobert is the key to this series. He's the DPOY for a reason. He owns Jokic and always has, tbh.

He does as good of a job as anyone but “own” is a bit of a stretch since he’s sent Gobert home twice already in the playoffs.

[SweaterBae]

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401267497

[IamBBAnalysis]

Didn't we have this same conversation about KAT not so long ago ?

To.summise no.

Not a fan of.his, but Gobert has brought a new level of defensive pressure and professionalism and standards to Minnesota that simply cannot be measured with box scores/stats.

It was just an off night for him and his teammates, it was naive for anyone (esp Bill Simmons) who thought Denver would willingly roll over and be swept.

Now the Wolves are in a dog fight, but I do think they have the maturity and belief to close this series out, esp with Gobert going to work in the paint.

I half expect a should Denver trade Joker if they lose game 4, the cold takes on this board after one game is absolutely hilarious!

I was with you 100% until you Minnesota are in a dog fight. Not yet. Denver made an adjustment but they also lost 2 at home. Now Minnesota gets to make the adjustment for game 4 and they are at home. Huge advantage for them. If Denver wins game 4 then you have a dog fight.

[doogie_hauser]

Didn't we have this same conversation about KAT not so long ago ?

To.summise no.

Not a fan of.his, but Gobert has brought a new level of defensive pressure and professionalism and standards to Minnesota that simply cannot be measured with box scores/stats.

It was just an off night for him and his teammates, it was naive for anyone (esp Bill Simmons) who thought Denver would willingly roll over and be swept.

Now the Wolves are in a dog fight, but I do think they have the maturity and belief to close this series out, esp with Gobert going to work in the paint.

I half expect a should Denver trade Joker if they lose game 4, the cold takes on this board after one game is absolutely hilarious!

I was with you 100% until you Minnesota are in a dog fight. Not yet. Denver made an adjustment but they also lost 2 at home. Now Minnesota gets to make the adjustment for game 4 and they are at home. Huge advantage for them. If Denver wins game 4 then you have a dog fight.

I can Imagine the psychological pressure both internally and externally on the Wolves for Game 4 would be massive, esp as many of their players haven't been this far in the playoffs before (least with The Wolves)

It's going to be a big task for Chris Finch and his coaching team to make sure his players are psychologically tuned in/switched in for game 4.

It definitely will be the most high stakes game of any in these playoffs so far.

I would go as far and say whoever wins that game will go on to win the championship (I have very little confidence in my Celtics right now sadly)

[Mr Peanut]

You should take the larger sample size of the Wolves record for the two seasons before they got Gobert and the two seasons since and you'll have your answer.