Minnesota Sports Forum

So that's three "professional" wins out of five, right? @Chicago, @Miami, and @Washington with the Brooklyn and Atlanta abominations sandwiched in there. And you could make a case that every one of those teams except Atlanta was playing pretty damn well coming into their game against us.

What I like about these last two wins is that we did so convincingly while knocking down 30% or less of our 3s. That is a good sign when we are on the bad side of the shooting variance distribution curve and still pull out wins.

We also continue a run of good health, which is increasingly becoming a strategic advantage as we look above us in the standings. Again I ask....Is there something our medical and training staff know that other teams' staffs don't about injury-prevention???

I know it's the wizard but what an encouraging performance on a road back to back! A completely professional curb stomping. Relentless, connected on both ends, and led by Ant.

You really have to appreciate how Ant has responded since the Atlanta game. Who knows whats been said behind closed doors, but Ant is clearly leading by example in addition to whatever else. Really set the tone and really took ownership of leading the offense. I was surprised he only had 3 assist because he was really playmaking and directing traffic all game.

Great bounce back from Jaden. He such a weapon if you get him moving downhill toward the rack. He's getting to the point where night be unguarable there and he's such a playmaker from down low

I hope we're seeing a trend with Jaden, Naz and Julius setting picks and acting as the roll man. There were also several hook actions getting multiple different players the ball moving toward the hoop. I really hope this is a new direction the offense starts moving and away from being heavily reliant on the 3 ball, cause it's a much better utilization of the teams strengths.

Rudy was fantastic

Donte has clearly been working on his feet cause he's been so much better on ball defensively the last few weeks. I really noticed this last night against the heat.

Encouraging win even tho it was against a vastly inferior team and I hope these last stretch of games will serve as a turning point for the season.

Because Rudy Gobert was 29 when he got to Minnesota, I don't think the idea that his offensive skill could still improve was really considered because we applied the idea that you don't get more athletic in your 30s to skill development.

But Gobert's offensive skillset has definitely improved. And in addition to that, he's honing what things to use more of (short roll passing, finesse finishing, dribbling into DHOs) and letting go of skills that he's worked on but are not effective (deep seals, push shots, perimeter jumpers).

It might be going from a 1 out of 10 to a 2 out of 10 grade, but it's definitely and improvement and the Wolves offense definitely benefits from it.

- Dane Moore post-game musings on X.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 8:16 pm Because Rudy Gobert was 29 when he got to Minnesota, I don't think the idea that his offensive skill could still improve was really considered because we applied the idea that you don't get more athletic in your 30s to skill development.

But Gobert's offensive skillset has definitely improved. And in addition to that, he's honing what things to use more of (short roll passing, finesse finishing, dribbling into DHOs) and letting go of skills that he's worked on but are not effective (deep seals, push shots, perimeter jumpers).

It might be going from a 1 out of 10 to a 2 out of 10 grade, but it's definitely and improvement and the Wolves offense definitely benefits from it.

- Dane Moore post-game musings on X.

Might be a hot take but this might be Rudy best season ever. We are getting an elite defensive season (not his best ever) and I to easily his best offense season ever

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 8:16 pm Because Rudy Gobert was 29 when he got to Minnesota, I don't think the idea that his offensive skill could still improve was really considered because we applied the idea that you don't get more athletic in your 30s to skill development.

But Gobert's offensive skillset has definitely improved. And in addition to that, he's honing what things to use more of (short roll passing, finesse finishing, dribbling into DHOs) and letting go of skills that he's worked on but are not effective (deep seals, push shots, perimeter jumpers).

It might be going from a 1 out of 10 to a 2 out of 10 grade, but it's definitely and improvement and the Wolves offense definitely benefits from it.

- Dane Moore post-game musings on X.

I see the biggest improvement in his decision making and passing. If he doesn't think he has an advantage when he catches the ball in the paint, he immediately whips the ball to an open man. And his behind the back pass to Donte tonight was a thing of beauty! I don't know if his screening has improved, but it is certainly at an elite level. So many of Ant's open looks are created by Rudy's screens.

And D'Natagal said he was making 40% of his 3's pregame!

It seems like the passing out of the short roll started to develop last season and he's built off of that. The thing I've noticed with Rudy this season are the euro-step drives to the hoop and layup finsishes. I just don't remember seeing much of that in prior seasons.

Nice win! Crabby Pattees all around!

FNG wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 8:33 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 8:16 pm Because Rudy Gobert was 29 when he got to Minnesota, I don't think the idea that his offensive skill could still improve was really considered because we applied the idea that you don't get more athletic in your 30s to skill development.

But Gobert's offensive skillset has definitely improved. And in addition to that, he's honing what things to use more of (short roll passing, finesse finishing, dribbling into DHOs) and letting go of skills that he's worked on but are not effective (deep seals, push shots, perimeter jumpers).

It might be going from a 1 out of 10 to a 2 out of 10 grade, but it's definitely and improvement and the Wolves offense definitely benefits from it.

- Dane Moore post-game musings on X.

I see the biggest improvement in his decision making and passing. If he doesn't think he has an advantage when he catches the ball in the paint, he immediately whips the ball to an open man. And his behind the back pass to Donte tonight was a thing of beauty! I don't know if his screening has improved, but it is certainly at an elite level. So many of Ant's open looks are created by Rudy's screens.

And D'Natagal said he was making 40% of his 3's pregame!

Rudy was shooting from the corners and the angle. He was also working on drives from the the slot where he normally screens for Ant. Was a great workout out plan. 2 jump shots, 2 drives to the hoop with a coach hitting him with pads, then 2 free throws. Then would play defense on Bones from the perimeter. Rudy is in amazing shape.

Ant could have scored 50 tonight, the Wizards had no answer. A few Wiz fans around me were applauding Ant by the 3rd when he went off.

As the woman next to me said, " That is a bad man."

Anthony Edwards says the Timberwolves don’t listen to their gameplan:

“Most of the time we don’t listen to the gameplan. When we listen to it we’re pretty good.”