What to Watch Out for in the Wolves-Mavs Showdown | The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Summary

The transcript discusses the upcoming basketball game challenges for Rudy Gobert, a player for the Timberwolves, as he faces a different matchup against Dallas. The speaker highlights Gobert's defensive and offensive roles, emphasizing his impact despite the inconsistent nature of his contributions. The analysis also touches on the importance of Luka Doncic's health and performance, as well as the strategic adjustments both teams might employ. The speaker anticipates a more difficult series for Gobert in defending and staying impactful, especially considering Luka's late-game decision-making and the Dallas team's spacing strategy.

Takeaways

• 🏀 The discussion revolves around the basketball player Rudy Gobert and his performance, particularly in relation to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks.
• 🌟 Rudy Gobert is highlighted as a significant impact player for the Timberwolves, despite some controversy over his ball handling in game seven.
• 🎯 There is an expectation that Rudy will face a different and potentially more challenging assignment against Dallas, particularly on the defensive end.
• 🔄 The script mentions that offensively, Rudy's contributions are unpredictable and that his performance will be closely watched in the new series.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The importance of physical strength in guarding Luka Doncic is emphasized, with Dort being praised for his ability to withstand Doncic's physical play.
• 🚫 The script suggests that Gobert's defensive role will be more complex against Dallas, as there will be no lurking player like Aaron Gordon to help contest shots.
• 🤔 There is speculation about how Gobert will adapt to the different offensive strategies of Dallas, especially considering Luka Doncic's late-game decision-making skills.
• 🏆 The outcome of the series is suggested to hinge on Gobert's ability to defend and stay impactful on the court, contrasting his previous series against Denver.
• 🤕 Concerns are raised about Luka Doncic's health and his ability to move decisively, which could affect his performance and the Mavericks' chances.
• 💪 The potential mismatches in the series are discussed, with an emphasis on how physical strength can influence the outcome of individual matchups.
• 📈 The analysis concludes with a lean towards Dallas having an advantage, particularly if Luka Doncic can operate effectively against the Timberwolves' defense.

Q & A

What is the main challenge Rudy Gobert might face in the series against Dallas?

Rudy Gobert will face a different challenge against Dallas, particularly on the defensive end. He will have to cover more ground and make more difficult decisions compared to the series against Denver.

How did Aaron Gordon perform in the game mentioned in the transcript?

Aaron Gordon was a non-factor offensively in the game discussed. He took only five shots and was effectively neutralized by the defensive strategy of the opposing team.

What is the role of Luka Doncic in the Dallas Mavericks' offensive strategy?

Luka Doncic is the primary playmaker for the Dallas Mavericks. He is particularly adept at making late finds to teammates in difficult situations and is a significant threat in the one-five pick and roll.

How does the presence of Luka Doncic change the defensive assignments for Rudy Gobert?

Luka Doncic's ability to find teammates late in the game means that Rudy Gobert will not be able to simply hover along the baseline as he did in the previous series. He will have to cover more ground and be ready to contest shots at the rim.

What was the criticism directed at Rudy Gobert during the Clippers' comeback against the Jazz?

The criticism was that Rudy Gobert had to cover both the corner and retreat back to the rim, which was an unfair expectation as it was nearly impossible to perform effectively in such a situation.

What is the importance of physical strength when guarding Luka Doncic?

Physical strength is crucial when guarding Luka Doncic because he uses his body, including shoulders and hips, to create space and maintain balance, making it difficult for defenders to stay in front of him.

How did Luka Doncic's performance in the playoffs differ from his usual play?

Luka Doncic's performance in the playoffs has been somewhat limited by his physical condition. He has not been moving as well as he usually does, and there have been moments where he has appeared to be in discomfort on the court.

What is the significance of the one-five pick and roll in the series between Dallas and the opposing team?

The one-five pick and roll is significant because it puts Rudy Gobert in a difficult position as the primary defender. Luka Doncic is adept at exploiting this situation with his passing and shooting abilities.

How does the defensive strategy of soft hedging affect Luka Doncic?

Soft hedging allows Luka Doncic to see the floor better and make precise passes, such as lob passes to rolling big men or kickouts to open shooters, which can be difficult for defenders to anticipate and contest.

What is the potential impact of the absence of a lurking defender on Rudy Gobert's defensive role?

Without a lurking defender to guard, Rudy Gobert will have to be more mobile and actively involved in the defense. This could lead to him being in a 'no man's land' situation, having to make quick decisions against a player like Luka Doncic.

What factors are contributing to the expectation that Luka Doncic might perform better against this particular defense?

The expectation is based on Luka Doncic's ability to operate against elite-level defenses, his potential for better separation due to the absence of a particularly strong defender like Lu Dort, and his comfort in making reads against one-five pick and roll defenses.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Impact and Expectations of Rudy Gobert Against Dallas

The first paragraph discusses the challenges and expectations for Rudy Gobert, a player for the Timberwolves, as he faces a different matchup against Dallas. It highlights his previous performance, including his significant impact on the game and the memorable shot clock shot. The discussion also touches on Gobert's defensive responsibilities, particularly against athletic players like Goar Lively and Gafford. The paragraph emphasizes the strategic adjustments Gobert will have to make, especially when guarding Luka Doncic, who is known for his ability to find open teammates in tight situations. The summary anticipates a more difficult series for Gobert, both offensively and defensively, as he adapts to the new challenges presented by the Dallas team.

05:01

💪 Physicality and Guarding Luka Doncic in the Playoffs

The second paragraph focuses on the physicality required to guard Luka Doncic and how Dallas's strategy might evolve in the playoffs. It praises the defensive strength of Lu Dort, who was effective against Doncic due to his physical resilience. The summary explores how different defenders' physical attributes, such as strength and base, impact their ability to guard Doncic effectively. It also discusses how Doncic's style of play, which involves using his body to create space, might be less effective against certain defenders. The paragraph concludes by suggesting that if Doncic's health and movement improve, he could have a more efficient shooting series. The summary also considers the implications of the defensive strategies that might be employed against Doncic, such as soft hedges and the impact of pick and roll situations on the game.

Keywords

💡Stakes

In the context of the video, 'stakes' refers to the importance and potential consequences of the events or actions being discussed. It emphasizes the critical nature of the situations faced by the players and teams, particularly highlighting the pressure and high expectations in the playoffs.

💡Plus-minus

'Plus-minus' is a statistical measure in basketball that indicates the point differential when a player is on the court versus when they are off. In the video, it is mentioned to highlight Rudy Gobert's impact on the Timberwolves' performance, suggesting his significant contribution to the team's success.

💡Matchup

A 'matchup' in basketball refers to how players from opposing teams are paired against each other. The video discusses different matchups, particularly how Rudy Gobert's defensive assignments change when facing different teams, affecting his role and effectiveness.

💡Defensive Impact

This term refers to a player's ability to influence the game on the defensive end of the court. The video explores Rudy Gobert's defensive impact, especially how he challenges opponents' shots and disrupts their offensive plays, making him a key player for the Timberwolves.

💡Lob Threat

A 'lob threat' describes a player's ability to catch and score from lob passes, typically near the basket. The video mentions this in the context of Luka Dončić's ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates through well-timed lob passes, presenting a challenge for Gobert.

💡Late Find

The 'late find' is a technique where a player makes a pass at the last possible moment to find an open teammate. Luka Dončić is praised for his skill in making these passes, which complicates the defensive efforts of players like Rudy Gobert.

💡Soft Hedge

A 'soft hedge' is a defensive tactic where a player briefly steps out to slow down the ball handler before returning to their original position. The video explains how Rudy Gobert uses this technique against Luka Dončić to balance between protecting the rim and disrupting the play.

💡Separation

'Separation' refers to the space a player creates between themselves and a defender to get a clear shot or make a play. The video discusses Luka Dončić's ability to create separation, particularly against defenders who are physically strong but not as quick.

💡Elite Defense

This term describes a high level of defensive play. The video highlights how Luka Dončić will be challenged by the Timberwolves' elite defense, which is anchored by Rudy Gobert, and how this matchup will be crucial in determining the series' outcome.

💡Physical Strength

Physical strength in this context refers to a player's ability to use their body to maintain position and control during play. The video contrasts the physical strength of defenders like Luguentz Dort with those of the Timberwolves, emphasizing its importance in defending a player like Luka Dončić.

Highlights

The stakes have been raised for Ant, with increased scrutiny on how he closes games.

Rudy has been identified as the most impactful player for the Timberwolves.

Rudy's ball handling in game seven was excessive but didn't affect the outcome due to a win and memorable shots.

There is a divide in perceptions of Rudy's performance between the two camps (teams).

Rudy is expected to face different challenges against Dallas, particularly on the defensive end.

The young, athletic players of Dallas will actively contest and compete against Rudy.

In the last series, Rudy was able to control Aaron Gordon's offensive contributions effectively.

The defensive strategy against Luca Doncic will be significantly different from the previous series.

Luca Doncic's ability to find open teammates late in possessions is a key strength.

Lively and Gafford need to be made into offensive threats at the rim to force Rudy into difficult decisions.

Rudy's defensive assignment will not involve lurking around the baseline as it did against Denver.

Dallas's strategy will involve spreading the floor with three-point shooters, unlike the previous series.

Rudy's ability to stay in front of the drive and wear down opponents with his physicality is a key aspect of his game.

The physical strength of Dort is highlighted as a significant factor in guarding Luca Doncic.

Luca's movement and decisiveness have not been at his normal level during the playoffs.

Dort's physical strength allows him to maintain position against Luca's attempts to bully him.

Luca is expected to have an easier time against Dallas's defenders compared to Dort.

Rudy's role in the pick and roll defense against Luca will be more challenging than the previous series.

Luca's ability to operate effectively against an elite level defense is a pivotal aspect to watch in the series.

Transcripts

we know that ant is going to have more

moments where you know all this stuff is

the stakes raised here it's like okay

how does he close how does he close and

and and we'll see how it goes um but

Rudy's been around cat's been around

Conley's obviously been around for a

while but I want to focus on Rudy here

because the two camps are never going to

see the other side of it I I saw the

plus minus dietal stuff that came out

where Rudy's like the most impactful

player for the Timberwolves so far I

think he had the ball way too much in

game seven it won't matter because they

W and he hit the ridiculous shot clock

shot he hadit another one out of his

hands where I don't even know how it

went in um but there's there's always

this divide with him and considering the

matchup is a lot different now based on

like what his assignment will be I just

wonder what you see with him right now

and your expectations for him against

Dallas yeah I think he's gonna have a

little bit of a different challenge here

against Dallas um with his impact

defensively um offensively with Rudy

it's I don't think there's anything ever

you can consistently pencil in you know

which exactly what you're going to get

so whatever we'll see about that end of

the floor they've got a couple of young

bouncy athletic guys in there that are

going to be competing and contesting and

just act with their activity they're

quicker off their feet like I they're

they're gonna they're going to be fine

battling Rudy goar Lively and Gafford

the other end of the floor is a

different challenge for Rudy goar in the

last series he was able to kind of hover

along the Baseline I mean Aaron Gordon

took five shots in that game Aaron

Gordon is critical for Denver and he was

complete non-factor offensively because

they just you know towns they went

through this made this decision towns is

going to guard yic more um and you got

to guard him start with those

possessions out on the perimeter more

and then sometimes you end up in the

post at the end of those possessions but

you usually start out on the perimeter

with jic and they're just gonna let Rudy

then just go ahead camp out keep an eye

on Gordon lurking and and just you know

be there and and and wreak havoc and and

take away spacing and that's what he did

that's not what's gonna happen in this

series like your challenge now with Luca

donic and the way with he is the best

I've ever seen at the late find the late

find when it looks like he's taking

himself into a tough spot it's crowded

he he leaves his feet here comes the one

guy is draped on him usually and now

here comes goar and here comes this

perfectly thrown lob at the exact time

that gobear leaves his feet to come help

here comes a lob around him over him a

drop off whatever to make Lively and

gaford an offensive threat at the rim

and make you pay for that he also is

great at the late find at those opposite

uh side of the Court darts that he

throws for for for threes to the corners

typically that's another issue for goar

he's not gonna have some dude down there

lurking around on the Baseline that he

can guard because even though joic is

this incredibly versal offensive player

he still gravitates toward the paint and

the rim as the possessions get further

and further like they're gonna be that's

not the CA and and Gordon's down there

that's not the case with Dallas you

don't have another guy down there that

just sort of camped out where gobear is

not going to pay a price by being able

to help on the drive and also be a

factor against that guy there is no guy

like that for Dallas those guys are

spaced out at the three-point line so

Luca is going to be the guy that's

controlling all of this and reading goar

and goar is going to have more ground to

cover he's going to have more difficult

decisions to make in this series than he

did in the Denver series and that's

going to be a fascinating part of this

and that is where my uh my eye is going

to be leaning and my my touch screens

I'm doing with Scott after are going to

be leaning in that direction I want to

see the extent to which this is a more

difficult series for Rudy goar to defend

and stay on the floor and be an impact

player on that end as opposed to the

Denver

Series yeah I mean yic eating him up in

the post it was it was always a little

interesting to see joic go harder at

goar when that was the assignment even

though towns is the primary assignment

and then it's the Rudy Gordon thing that

we've talked about and like you could

see it in the regular season okay they

want to keep him in the dunker so now

it's up to Aaron Gordon to be spaced out

more but he's not that kind of player

and he's a complete no-show in seven and

now Rudy's like I don't even have to

worry about him now um because at that

point and I wonder if Denver got away

from that a little bit being up 20

thinking okay maybe we don't need to

have Gordon bring it up as much and

Murray's cooking in the first half so

you know I know there was some different

things they were doing to try to get

Murray going uh and that's the questions

I'm sure they'd be asking themselves all

summer with that part of it but I don't

know if it'll be the same thing that we

saw when the Clippers came back against

the Jazz and Rudy where I thought that

part of the criticism for him was unfair

because he was having to cover the

corner and then also Retreat back to the

rim and it was like Terren man you know

it was it was an absurd but it it might

be PJ Washington yep where well no look

they're just going to have on lively

yeah they're just going to have him on

lively though they're going to have him

Lively and they're going to run a lot of

one five and then then it's going to be

up to him I would say as far as a big

and his ability the best part of Rudy is

finding a way to stay in front because

he's not Luca is not the super super

quick guy he just wears you down with

his hip in the drive and that late find

that you're were talking about so you

know Rudy's not going to get stuck in

the corner on PJ because I'd imagine

that's the cat assignment and even

though I was worried about the Durant

towns matchup in that series

you know Phoenix didn't really Durant

didn't really make cat pay all that much

it wasn't this obvious MIT mismatch even

though athletically You' think it would

be so it sounds like you're leaning

Dallas a little bit here overall I am I

am and and look I've been you know

looking at all of these different ways

that these teams operate and I do like

Dallas a lot now a big factor for me is

Luca um how close to like normal he

looks because I don't think he looks

normal I I think he's I think he's he's

never going to play quick but some

nights he's way more decisive and he's

moving better and I don't think he's

been moving great um in in the playoffs

overall and and then at some point I

feel like in every game something

happens where he ends up on the floor

and he gets up and he's gimping around a

little bit and so his ability and it's

not like he's got great separation

ability off the dribble but it's good

it's better when he's fully healthy so

that's a factor for me I'm gonna be

watching but here's here's one of the

things that I took into consideration

when I started thinking man I really

kind of like Dallas ability to control

their end of the floor offensively

against this defense the matchup against

Luca L

Dort has the number one quality that you

need to guard Luca which is physical

strength because Luca is hitting you

with shoulders and elbows and he's

letting you ride his hip and and he's

not getting knocked off balance because

he's just so his base is so wide and

he's just so strong he doesn't have a

lot of muscle definition he's kind of

like joic in that way it's of funny

because they don't you can't identify a

bicep if you look at these guys but yet

nobody can like they're not affected by

anybody that's how strong they are Dort

is one of the strong and by Luca's own

admission this like he's so sick of

seeing Luke Dort he's so glad to move on

from this series Dort has the physical

strength to not give ground when Luca is

trying to bully you with his shoulder

and his hip and his forearm on that off

hand and getting you back on your heels

so he can get into that little

separation lean back and not always by

by three but like that 16 18f footer

that he loves to shoot Dort wasn't

giving ground Jaden

McDaniels uh nikel Alexander

Walker Anthony Edwards Anthony Edwards

you know he's pretty solidly put

together they're not they're not on the

caliber of L dor in terms of strength

you're gonna see a different level of

separation for Luca by bullying those

guys with his strength it's going to be

a little bit different and that to me

was when I really looked at I started to

look at that okay now let's just talk

about Luca who's guarding Luca and the

effect on Luca because I know Dort did

affect him uh with his inability to get

the space he wanted and he didn't have

the lift when he did get Space because

it was because of his leg I think that

he's gonna have an easier time with

these guys than he had with thort and if

that's the case and he's getting better

separation and he's feeling more

confident in his separation I think

you're going to see a more efficient

shooting series out of Luca and and

again the the lob threat in the one5

pick and roll with goar trying to

provide what he needs with these shows

and like kind of sliding and like the

soft hedge that you're gonna see a lot

of he's not jumping out on a hard hedge

on LCA dones that's a nightmare for him

to get back to the rim so you're GNA see

these soft Hedges where he's kind of

sliding with Luca while the guard's

continuing to get back and then he's

gonna leave him and run back to the rim

Luca picks guys like that apart with his

lobs timed perfectly to the guy that set

the screen running to the the rim to the

opposite side kickout like I said the

pocket pass that he can hit guys with a

goar is going to be in a no man land

situation a lot in this series because

he is going to be the primary one5 pick

and roll Defender for what you said cat

will be the guy more on Jones and

Washington goar is gonna be directly

involved in these ball screens with a

guy that is much more lethal than Jamaal

Murray was anytime you wanted to put him

in one5 this is going to be a different

animal for goar to have to defend and

Luca typically makes great reads in that

situation and beating you when you try

to defend that so that a lot of this

comes down to how I feel about Luca

being able to operate in this series

against this Elite level defense and I

think he's going to be pretty good

pretty comfortable