RealGM Basketball Wiretap

08 May 2024

• Rudy Gobert Wins NBA Defensive Player Of The Year For 4th Time

  Rudy Gobert has been named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for a record-tying fourth time.

  Gobert had 72 first place votes and 433 total points. Victor Wembanyama finished second with 245 total points out of 19 first place votes, 44 second place votes and 18 third place votes. Bam Adebayo finished third with 91 total points ahead of Anthony Davis with 83.

  Gobert joins Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the only four-time winners of the award, which has been presented annually since the 1982-83 season.

  In the 2023-24 regular season, Gobert ranked sixth in the NBA in blocks per game (2.13) and fourth in defensive rebounds per game (9.2). Opponents shot 43.4% from the field when Gobert was the closest defender, 6.1% lower than their expected percentage on those shots (49.5%). That difference was the largest among the 105 players who defended at least 800 shots during the season.

  Led by Gobert, the Timberwolves had the best defensive rating, allowed the fewest points per game and held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage in the NBA. The top-ranked defense helped Minnesota (56-26) post the second-best record in franchise history and earn the No. 3 playoff seed in the Western Conference.

• Rudy Gobert Out For Game 2 Following Birth Of Child

  Rudy Gobert missed Game 2 of the Minnesota Timberwolves' second round series against the Denver Nuggets following the birth of his first child.

  There was some level of optimism that Gobert could return to Denver in time for the game.

• RealGM Radio: Kevin Pelton On The Second Round (Apr 2024)

  Host Danny Leroux talks with Kevin Pelton of ESPN (@kpelton.bsky.social) about the NBA playoffs.

  They break down each of the four second-round series in terms of the key matchups, swing factors and much more plus other NBA discussion.

  Subscribe to RealGM Radio on Apple Podcasts or via the RSS feed.

• Rudy Gobert Questionable For Game 2 For Personal Reasons

  Rudy Gobert is questionable or Game 2 of the Minnesota Timberwolves' second round series against the Denver Nuggets for personal reasons. Gobert was not at shootaround with the Wolves.

  Gobert's partner announced earlier this year that they were expecting a baby.

  The Wolves enter the game up 1-0 over the Nuggets.

• NBA Rescinds Game 1 Technical Foul To Anthony Edwards

  The NBA has rescinded a technical foul assessed to Anthony Edwards in the third quarter of the Minnesota Timberwolves Game 1 win over the Denver Nuggets.

  Edwards stared at but didn't say anything to Reggie Jackson after beating him on a basket.

  Edwards was shocked to be issued a technical foul on the play.

• Rudy Gobert: I've Never Been Part Of A Group That Cares About Each Other

  The Minnesota Timberwolves were clearly pleased with their Game 1 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert says a lot of that is driven by how much the team pulls for each other to succeed.

  "I've never been part of a group that understands each other, that cares about each other and wants to see each other shine. In this league, it's not something that you find very often," Gobert said.

  Gobert said that that the Wolves "love and trust each other" and that helps them overcome adversity, like falling behind at points against the Nuggets. The veteran center said that the process of growing together was a team was something that started last year for Minnesota, and that they've built upon it this year.

• Chris Finch Likely To Be Along Wolves' Bench For Game 1

  The Minnesota Timberwolves have increased optimism that Chris Finch will be able to sit near the team's bench when their second round series against the Denver Nuggets begins on Saturday.

  Finch underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair the ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.

  Finch led Thursday's practice and walked around on crutches.

  Assistant coach Micah Nori will take on a more active role with Finch's mobility limited.

• Chris Finch Leads Timberwolves' Practice On Thursday

  Chris Finch lead the Minnesota Timberwolves through practice on Thursday, one day after undergoing surgery on his right knee.

  It is still unclear whether Finch will coach the team from the sideline for Game 1 against the Nuggets on Saturday.

  Finch could coach from a suite and conduct pregame and halftime meetings. The Wolves could also clear a spot for Finch on the sideline to make it easier to sit with his leg extended.

  Micah Nori will be the acting head coach in case Finch misses the game.

• Anthony Edwards Generates Over 100M Views On NBA Platforms Since Start Of Playoffs

  Anthony Edwards has generated over 100 million views across the NBA's social and digital platforms since the start of the playoffs, according to the league's communications department.

  The number only trails LeBron James with 130 million views.

  Edwards was the seventh most-viewed player on the league's digital platforms during the regular season.

  Edwards has also gained the most Instagram followers among players since the start of the playoffs.

  The Timberwolves open their second round series against the Nuggets on Saturday.

• Chris Finch Planning To Be With Timberwolves For Game 1

  Chris Finch is planning to be on the Minnesota Timberwolves' sideline for Game 1 of their series against the Denver Nuggets.

  Finch had surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee on Wednesday.

  Assistant Micah Nori is taking over head coaching duties in Finch's absence.

  Due to a lack of spacing on the bench, Finch may switch seats with athletic trainer Gregg Farnam on the sideline for increased leg room.