The confrontation between the Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson got physical when Anderson profanely told Gobert to shut up during a timeout, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets. The argument began with Anderson telling Gobert to block some shots and Gobert replying that Anderson should grab some rebounds.
The duo also had a heated verbal exchange in the locker room at halftime, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Timberwolves guard Mike Conley played a crucial role in calming things down and getting the team refocused.
After being told to leave the building, Gobert sent an apologetic text message to his Timberwolves teammates in a group chat, ESPN’s Andrew Lopez tweets. Anderson said he’ll talk things over with Gobert. “We’ll speak about it and move on. We’re grown men,” Anderson said.
We have more from the Western Conference:
- Kyrie Irving is headed to unrestricted free agency. What are his plans? He kept that to himself after the Mavericks’ disappointing season ended on Sunday. He declined to speak to the media, the only Dallas player to do so, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon tweets.
- As for the Mavericks’ franchise player, he provided some comforting words to the team’s fans. Luka Doncic says he’s happy where he is, MacMahon adds in another tweet, an indication that he won’t be asking for a trade any time soon. “I’m happy here, so there’s nothing to worry (about),” Doncic said.
- Kris Dunn gave the Jazz a boost in the second half of the season and looks poised to help the team next season as well, Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune opines. Dunn showed improved scoring form, compared to his previous NBA stops, and he remains a quality defender. Dunn signed a multiyear deal with Utah last month, though his veteran’s minimum deal for next season isn’t guaranteed until October 23. Dunn had 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists against the Lakers on Sunday.
Luka…maybe you and Kyrie should show at least some mild consideration to playing defense.
Thats not good for the Wolves. Lots of people have been asking all year why isn’t Gobert blocking shots.
These same people forget that Gobert is the biggest deterrent to drives to the basket, in the NBA. They see Gobert and do a 180. That or they jump into him and that’s not nearly as blockable.
Not everything has to end up as a block to be a successful defensive position. He’s more about taking up as much space as possible so he can defend an entire offense. Hard to say if he’s at good at it as he has been in the past.
Luka needs to be surrounded by solid defenders because given his terrible body he needs to put all his energy into offense.
I’m happy here because this is where you constantly lose.
Kyrie doesn’t have many options. Who would want him besides Dallas. Lakers have Russell. Mavs lose Kyrie then they take a major step backwards. Unless they sign a top FA.
Russell is a free agent.
Lakers can tell Russell goodbye and let him walk in FA and sign Kyrie.
Sure the Sixers will have interest they have been linked to him for years.
Miami for sure will have interest although I don’t think they can make much of a deal.
PHX had interest and there was talk about letting CP leave and KD recruiting Kyrie.
Orlando could try make a splash
Not sure if it could work but maybe Toronto could let GTJ walk and do FVV for Kyrie in a sign and trade…
No way he goes back there
Hell will freeze over before KD brings the Kyrie circus to the Suns.
Al. What is the best situation for Ky? S&T? Suns. Lakers? Idk. Because the Mavs are not a good fit. Everybody is saying all the right things, but it’s just not.
Ky needs to be open to going where he fits. I like the Philly idea. S&T for T. Harris.
Come to sac luka you know you wanna
He should’ve been there to begin with. Divac was sure to pick him, but instead opted for Bagley, which made zero sense considering Vlade’s European roots.
Maybe it does make sense. The Mavs were bad this year with the dough boy and the Kings did great. Do the Mavs have a future? The Kings seem to.
Bagley. Doncic. Really?
By not picking Luka, Divac got fired. By firing Vlade the Kings got exponentially better. If they picked Luka, Vlade might be still around and the Kings still would be in a playoff drought.
Cuban got in his ear and got word to the kings that he’d stay in Europe if drafted by them
Luka just doing basic PR on the way out…
Giving up all that talent for Gobert was crazy.
This years been terrible for Minny and to think of all the fans that were hyping them up. KAT was talking so much, saying him and Ant are the modern day Shaq and Kobe. That he’s the greatest shooting big man ever.
He’s only ever had 3 playoff wins in his 8 year career.
I don’t think they can move off of Gobert now this definitely hurts his already low value. They have to keep ANT, I think they need to move KAT and try build something that resembles what the Utah Jazz had in Spida and Gobert. 3 and D guys and Salome secondary ball handling.
Sounds absolutely crazy but I’d ring the Mavs and say offer Kyrie the max we will take him in a sign and trade for Karl Anthony-Towns if you give us 3 first round picks. They could offer this years 10th overall pick aswell as unprotected picks in 2016 and 2018.
That gives the TWolves a base of Kyrie ANT McDaniels and Gobert.
From there cutting Conley frees up 10mil, Prince has a 8mil expiring deal and NAW has a 5mil expiring deal.
That could free up enough money for a run at guys like Harrison Barnes, Grant Williams or PJ Washington.
I’d suggest going cheap and going for Jae Crowder at 2 years 20mil and try following that up with Jaden McDaniels older brother Jalen on a similar 2 year 20mil deal. Then go over the cap in order to bring back Naz Reid and fill out with guys on the vets min.
Kyrie ANT Crowder Jad. McDaniels Gobert
McLaughlin Nowell Anderson Jal. McDaniels Reid
Moore Minott
Plus the 10th pick in the draft and 2 future picks thanks to the Mavs.
Kyrie and Ant give you close to 30 a night each, Crowder and the two McDaniels boys chip in with some handy points and Gobert averages a healthy double double. With the right coach this side makes the playoffs with relative ease.
As for the Mavs Kyrie and picks for KAT is a no brainer. Kyries going to walk for nothing anyways and you get to add one of the best shooting bigs in the league. He’s going to average 20-10 easy and opens up the floor for Luka. Let Wood and co leave and try your best to get a defensive 4 to help cover and protect the rim.
Now I like that trade. KAT for Ky.
Dallas needs to make a couple trades and change the lineup but I could fix it
Wolves are a joke.
Because they are the “elite NBA players “the good old excuse of ” great competitors” will be used instead of the truth—stupidity.
Anyone who’s followed the Wolves knows there’s rarely “great players” in a Wolves jersey.
As flippin stupid as the huddle argument was the fact that McDaniels breaks his hand hitting a wall is ever a greater act of stupidity.
Ant will be leaving this joke of a franchise asap!!!
There was ZERO talent/competitiveness showed. Just pure stupidity. Same team that lost multiple draft picks over Joe Smith!!!!!!! You remember game changer NBA ICON joe smith right??????? You can’t make this up.
Ant is just as dumb…
He’ll stick around that dumpster fire…
Has anyone seen an actual dumpster fire? Lol