Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been frustrated by the lack of fan support this season. The three-time All-Star called them out after the Timberwolves’ 105-101 win over the Miami Heat on Monday.
“I don’t appreciate people coming to cheer for your team,” Gobert said after the win. “When you’re a fan, you have to support your team in bad times or good times.”
At several NBA betting sites, the Timberwolves have the 15th-best odds to win the championship in 2023. See which sportsbooks are showing the highest odds for the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies.
Rudy Gobert said he feels the Wolves are starting to play better, but tonight he took a step back by making some mistakes. He asked the fans not to be on their side but to help them in their struggle pic.twitter.com/2dvgNuTjX9
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) November 22, 2022
Rudy Gobert added: “There’s never been a team in NBA history that’s had only good times, so if you’re not rooting for us in the bad times, stay home.”
“If you’re going to give us a hug in tough times, then come and I think we’d love the support.”
With the win over Miami, the Timberwolves are now on a four-game winning streak. However, it is fair for the fans to complain about certain players.
In 32 minutes on the floor, Gobert closed out the outdoor season with a season-low four points, nine rebounds, one steal and two blocks. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year hit four free throws in the final 90 seconds.
Rudy Gobert says Timberwolves fans should stay home if they’re going to cheer on the team at Target Center.
A fair number of Timberwolves fans, however, say Gobert isn’t playing well with his new team. In 15 starts this season, Gobert is averaging 13.1 points, 12.3 boards and 1.5 blocks per game. He is shooting 61.9% from the field, his lowest since the 2015-16 season.
Karl-Anthony Towns also led Minnesota in scoring and wins with 25 points and eight boards. While Edwards got off to a slow start to the season, the third-year player has improved.
Anthony Edwards finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes. He finished 9-of-21 (42.9%) from the field and 4-of-12 (33.3%) from downtown.
It says on the loudest thing… Timberwolves fans have a great eye for effort and good basketball.
They don’t scream loudly after a legitimate noise game or display of ball movement.
But *if you don’t play the right way*…they will make you hear about it
— Jace Frederick (@JaceFrederick) November 22, 2022
Also, while Rudy Gobert was telling screaming fans to stay home, Edwards had a different reaction in supporting the team. “Man, I love the crowd,” Edwards said.
Tell them: ‘Hey, if you’re all listening to this, come on, show some love, stop yelling. We’ll give you everything we got, man. We’re trying.”
Through 15 games into the 2022-23 season, the Timberwolves are 9-8 and 10th overall in the Western Conference. The team is averaging 114.3 points per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA.
Their offensive efficiency rating ranks 19th (1.078). However, the Timberwolves are allowing 114.4 points per game despite having two of the best big man defenses in the league.
Rudy Gobert is struggling to hit his shot.
They are 20th in points against this season. Their defensive efficiency rating is 1.079, and the team ranks 11th in this metric. At least opposing teams are shooting 44.7%, fifth lowest in the league.
