The Minnesota Timberwolves have been the team to beat since the beginning of 2023 as they have now won 11 out of their 15 games after being led by Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. As Karl Anthony Towns is being sidelined due to an injury, Timberwolves’ newest star has been the key in the backcourt as their former No. 1 pick in the draft has stolen the offensive headlines.

For those who are not unaware of the contribution of both Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert -the former No. 1 pick in the NBA draft has been key to their recent success and his last 5 games have seen him average 34.2 PPG on 54.0% shooting from the field. Edwards though had some high praise for Rudy Gobert, as he says he has been noticing just how impactful the Frenchman is on the backcourt for them despite being extensively criticized for his performances in the 2022-23 season.

Anthony Edwards on seeing Rudy Gobert's impact more and more:

"I said on the bench today, I seen a guy go in and look at Rudy and have a wide-open layup. And Rudy just stabbed at him, and he threw it and Rudy stole it. Like him present in a game just affects a lot of people."

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) January 29, 2023

Edwards said via Dane Moore, “I said on the bench today, I seen a guy go in and look at Rudy and have a wide-open layup. And Rudy just stabbed at him, and he threw it and Rudy stole it. Like him present in a game just affects a lot of people.”

Anthony Edwards on Rudy Gobert

Moreover, as per a Timberwolves analyst, which has been published on the internet, “Glad Dane got a quote on this because this is one of the more obvious ‘Rudy deterrence’ moments of the season. Sabonis won’t attack the rim with Rudy on his hip, Monk won’t go up with Rudy towering over him, Barnes forces a bad pass with Rudy in front, and Rudy gets the steal.”

Glad Dane got a quote on this because this is one of the more obvious 'Rudy deterrence' moments of the season. Sabonis won't attack the rim with Rudy on his hip, Monk won't go up with Rudy towering over him, Barnes forces a bad pass with Rudy in front, and Rudy gets the steal. https://t.co/rzcRU9VwJY pic.twitter.com/eksY1WG9si

— Jake Paynting (@HowlsAndGrowls_) January 29, 2023

That being said, as Gobert has been constantly criticized for not being able to take Timberwolves where they were expected to be, Edwards’ comments just showcase how the Frenchman has constantly worked hard to keep Timberwolves in the playoff hunt.

Also Read: Magic Johnson is the latest person to join the bandwagon for slamming NBA refs

Also Read: “Putting a smackdown against Nikola Jokic”: Jalen Rose reacts to Joel Embiid dominating Nikola Jokic

Also Read: “Don’t get it”: LeBron James questions why NBA referees are not able to spot clutch foul calls