When the Minnesota Timberwolves shocked the NBA by trading for All-Star center Rudy Gobert over the summer, some felt they could be dark-horse contenders in the Western Conference.
But they currently hold a 13-14 record, and if the play-in tournament started today, they would not participate in it.
Things have not gone even remotely close to how some envisioned them going for Minnesota this season.
What in the world has gone wrong for the team?
1. Gobert May Not Be The Force He Used To Be
Gobert has been nicknamed “The French Rejection” and “The Stifle Tower” because of his incredible shot-blocking and rim-protecting talents.
He has averaged at least two blocked shots a game in each of the last eight seasons, but this year he’s at just 1.2 blocks a contest.
That is likely a big reason why the Timberwolves are just 20th in defensive rating.
2. Edwards Hasn’t Taken The Next Step
Anthony Edwards, the top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, emerged nicely last season by averaging 21.3 points per game, and he improved that figure to 25.2 points a contest in the playoffs.
But so far this year, he is only up to 22.7 points a game, and his shooting percentages are only marginally better than they were last season.
Edwards is not exactly bashful about letting the world know how great he thinks he is, but his production has lagged behind his mouth and chutzpah.
"Anthony Edwards is starting to grow up in front of our eyes."
30 POINTS in the #MetaQuestPlayIn.. What will Ant drop in Game 1 today?
Timberwolves/Grizzlies, 3:30pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/Gd7suoAgzt
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2022
For Minnesota to get back to being a playoff-caliber team, he needs to play at the level he was at in the postseason last year when the team gave the Memphis Grizzlies a stiff challenge.
