Jaxson Hayes isn’t apprehensive about the most effective defender on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The primary-round matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves will doubtless become an entertaining sequence.
Certain, each groups have unimaginable star energy, however the contest can even be a take a look at of every head coach as the 2 sides have polar reverse rosters.
On one hand, Chris Finch’s Timberwolves have a extra standard roster with a number of large males, together with 4x NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months winner Rudy Gobert.
However then again, JJ Redick has relied on small-ball lineups all through nearly all of the second half of the common season, apart from the presence of Jaxson Hayes on the roster.
Whereas Hayes has improved his recreation over the course of the season, many consultants consider he can be uncovered by Gobert within the opening spherical of the playoffs.
Hayes seemingly doesn’t even care about dealing with Gobert as he just lately claimed that the 3x NBA All-Star shouldn’t be even his fundamental focus.
“Field him out, pressure turnovers, get him switched on to guys, [and] setting screens. He [Gobert] shouldn’t be my fundamental focus. Clearly, he’s my fundamental matchup, however my fundamental focus is getting guys like Luka [Doncic] open.
“Rebounding and crashing laborious, outcompeting him. That’s my purpose,” Hayes mentioned.
Now, that’s an enormous assertion forward of the postseason and it may actually function further motivation for Gobert to flaunt his defensive prowess in opposition to the Lakers.
If Hayes cares extra about getting his star gamers open to attain at will, Gobert’s precedence is to be an elite participant on each ends of the ground.
In reality, Gobert admitted that he must be the second-best participant on the T-Wolves’ roster in an effort to advance to the Western Convention semifinals.
The largest thorn in Gobert’s path could be none apart from Luka Doncic. The previous Dallas Mavericks famous person torched Rudy final season within the WCF.
Now, with the extra assist of LeBron James and Austin Reaves, it wouldn’t be a shock if Luka hunts Gobert on a number of possessions in a recreation all through the sequence.