By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the Minnesota Timberwolves chasing an NBA championship, Rudy Gobert shared his thoughts on new teammate LaMelo Ball following team practice on Sunday.
“Just his energy, coming every day, and you can tell he’s been working really hard,” said the Saint-Quentin native. “In the weight room, on the court, really trying to get to know all of us and also asking questions, all that stuff. You can tell that he’s hungry to win, and he understands how happy we are to have him, but also that we have high goals, high expectations for our team.”
Packing a revamped roster, the French center and the Wolves want a title. With Gobert in the paint, the franchise reached the Western Conference Finals in 2023 and 2025 but fell short.
The 34-year-old big has 1,001 games of experience, three All-Star nods, and four Defensive Player of the Year awards. Meanwhile, Ball brings a different hunger. The 25-year-old guard was the Rookie of the Year in 2021 and an All-Star in 2022. However, he never reached the postseason in 303 games with the Charlotte Hornets.
Both players suited up four times in the Preseason 2026 to build chemistry. Gobert posted 5.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest. Ball ran the offense with 9.5 points and 5.8 assists nightly.
The quest for a championship ring begins Wednesday. They open the 2026–27 Regular Season on the road against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. The road trip continues Friday against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Finally, the squad returns to Target Center on Sunday for their home opener against the Toronto Raptors.
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