“I know what analytics say but get the hell out of here” - Jay Williams questions Minnesota Timberwolves' move for 3x All-Star, says they’re going back to '90s basketball
After making the playoffs for the second time in the last 15 years, the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to make big moves this offseason. The Timberwolves recently acquired center Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz.
Rudy Gobert will line up alongside current center Karl-Anthony Towns and rising star Anthony Edwards, potentially forming a formidable trio.
However, during a segment on his ESPN show, Jay Williams questioned the Minnesota Timberwolves' approach. He began by quoting Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards' comments about Gobert.
"I know what the analytics say, but get the hell out of here analytics. Let me tell you what your future franchise player said.
"Anthony Edwards: 'To me, the best rim protector in the league is Porzingod, Porzingis. Anytime I go against Porzingis, I don't get no layups. So like, I don't get why we couldn't finish on Rudy Gobert. He don't put fear in my heart.'"
Jay Williams also expressed concern over the amount of money the Timberwolves committed to Gobert.
"So now what we're saying is we're going back to 90s basketball. We have Rudy Gobert who is coming off a four-year deal, $224 million.
"We have Karl-Anthony Towns who just signed a super max, but Rudy Gobert can't be on the court at the end of a ball game. He got exposed. Did we just watch Utah?"
Jay Williams questions how the Minnesota Timberwolves will use Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns together
While Rudy Gobert has been one of the elite rim protecters in the last few years, smaller players have exposed his weaknesses.
….Dinwiddie…..just posterized Rudy Gobert 😂…. https://t.co/rYhNg0uxjU
Jay Williams said he was worried about Minnesota's future if Gobert and Towns struggle to deal with guard-heavy lineups.
"I love Karl-Anthony Towns. One of St. Joe's finest in New Jersey, where I'm from. Same high school. Well look at that look at that frontcourt.
"It looks intimidating, but is that going to work in a league that is so versatile with guards that can space you out? We'll see. Minnesota, what are we doing?"
For now, the Minnesota Timberwolves will need to find a way to make their two-center lineup work in the modern NBA.