Rudy Gobert notes improvements in Timberwolves’ organization in recent years
Timberwolves players don’t seem impacted in any way, shape or form by the current tussle for majority ownership of the team between Glen Taylor and the tandem of Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez.
At this point in the season, as they battle for the No. 1 seed, it affects their day-to-day operations very little.
“I don’t even know what’s going on, for real,” Wolves wing Jaden McDaniels told reporters Friday after the team’s win over Denver. “I’m just going to keep that on that side and let them handle their own business.”
But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an impact on the team’s performance as a whole over the long haul, as Rudy Gobert laid out to reporters Friday in Denver.
“We want ownership to always do whatever it takes to put the players in the best situation to be successful. I feel like since I’ve got here, things have gotten a lot better and really, from what I’ve heard, from what I’ve seen, changed a lot of things to allow us to be as successful as we can and those things come a long way, especially when, like, you see (Friday), we won a game to go ahead for the first seed. Details really matter,” Gobert said. “I really appreciate the ownership group to do whatever it takes to help us win, and make sure all we have to do is focus on basketball.”
Gobert saying that he’s heard things have improved since he arrived is notable, since he was traded to Minnesota just 14 months after Lore and Rodriguez agreed to buy the team. And while Taylor continues to foot the financial bills on improvements and has the final rubber stamp on any decisions, Lore and Rodriguez have had influence on decisions.
What are the improvements made in recent years?
“A lot of things, whether it’s nutrition, recovery, facility, family room, I mean how our family is being treated. A lot of things,” Gobert said. “This organization is becoming really a top-notch organization and I think it’s come a long way.”
TAYLOR ON SITE
Timberwolves’ current majority owner, Taylor, and his wife, Becky, were in their traditional courtside seats for Sunday’s bout with the Bulls amid the dispute with current minority owners Lore and Rodriguez about Taylor’s sudden cancellation of majority ownership.
Coach Chris Finch gave both Taylor and his wife hugs prior to the game.
Lore and Rodriguez were not in their usual courtside seats for the contest.
PAYING HOMAGE
Karl-Anthony Towns — who’s still recovering from his torn meniscus — was on the Minnesota’s bench Sunday, sporting none other than a Timberwolves’ No. 9 Ricky Rubio jersey.
The former star Wolves guard retired from NBA play in the offseason.
