Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert called out his teammates’ lack of effort following a 119-115 home loss to the floundering Pelicans on Friday.
“At some point, if the players don’t have accountability, someone has to have accountability for the players,” Gobert said, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “I’m on straight effort. I’m just talking straight effort. I’m not even getting to the basketball side of things, like there’s always mistakes are a part of the game, but the effort to me for a team that wants to play for a championship, it’s unacceptable.”
The four-time Defensive Player of the Year didn’t mention any player in particular. However, Krawczynski noted that while the team’s other stars — Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle — scored a combined 59 points, they didn’t appear locked in on the other end of the floor.
Gobert implored the coaches to bench players if they’re not giving their all.
“It should start with ourselves, but it seems like we don’t have that, so I think at some point (it has to come) from the coaches,” Gobert said. “It’s not an easy position for a coach to take guys out of the game. It’s not something that you want to do, but I think if the players don’t show any effort, at some point, no matter how talented we are as a team, if you don’t have that, you just can’t be a winning team.”
Minnesota has lost eight of its last 15 games, ranking 18th in the league defensively during that span. Gobert didn’t give himself a free pass after Pelicans forward Zion Williamson powered for 29 points, mostly near the rim.
“It starts with me. If I’m not showing effort, bench me,” Gobert said. “Take me out of the game. Everybody else will follow. Our best players, leaders, if we don’t show any effort, it doesn’t matter if you score 50, we’re not going to win.”
At 32-21, the Timberwolves sit in sixth place of the Western Conference standings, barely above the play-in line.
“We want to be a championship team. We want to lift that trophy in June,” Gobert said. “This is a lesson that we need to get right now. It starts at the top.”
kinda been an issue for a few years now, but it is a long season and it’s tough to be at your best every game. shouldn’t be losing home games to lottery teams
Ant’s defense has gotten a lot worse lately. But Julius Randle is the main problem. He is such a defensive liability. They will need to dump him at some point.
I think they were hoping their young core would step up more and instead they just look like a very shallow team.
Never does good to blame other team mates when you lose. Gobert thinks he is the player he used to be 6 years ago.
But he’s still giving max effort. And he’s actually having a great season minus the free throws.
He is having his regular season but I have noticed he is a little slower on moving those feet like most older players. He is compensating on offense because Edwards and Randle are offense players first and without a true PG to run the offense.
Play Terrence Shannon more when he is back healthy. He plays hard and really talented!!!
People are going to hate because it is Rudy saying this but he is absolutely right
Death, taxes, and the Wolves blowing it