brutalitops wrote:og15 wrote:Marvin Martian wrote:No. Gobert still needs to prove that he can stay on the floor when teams go small in the playoffs.
It's easier to stay on the floor when teams go small if your other defenders can also cover for you.
That's what is forgotten too many times. Gobert on Utah was covering for everyone else, but there was no one to cover for him.
"Lol clippers playing him off the floor"
Literally had to both protect the rim AND Mann in the corner at the same time.
With this wolves team of you slap a dude in the corner to force Rudy out, he has 2 of Edwards/McDaniels/NAW on court to cover, all 3 were better defenders then he ever played with at Utah. Suns tried to go small and Rudy had some big games when they did
This is the biggest difference for Gobert, and don't forget Conley, the guy is playing like it's his last chance to get a title.... He's never played with guards that can defend the point and wings that can stay with the fast break, and credit Gobert, he's fast on his switches and stays in front, seems to have really learned to use his length along the baseline from the rim to the corners. And shoutout to the Canadian NAW, really been a factor these playoffs.
Now, I don't want to get too excited, it was the Suns after all and they looked terrible, their offense never really clicked and their defense was never really that good. The Suns were a far better team when they had CP3, Booker, Bridges, Johnson and Ayton - more chemistry and balance. Shows what happens when you try to buy a championship and now the coach will take the fall, cause, well, what else can they do?
As for Minny, the real test of their defense is coming in the next round.