The Timberwolves were eliminated in the West Decision, Gobert became the focus of controversy: Is he a hero or a drag?

After the Timberwolves were eliminated by the Thunder, the fans' discussions continued - some people called Edwards a key fight and some complained that Randle was too ups and downs, but the most polarized controversy focused on Gobert.

This center with an annual salary of 44 million yuan has played 5 games in the Western Conference Finals, averaging 5.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The score, rebounds and shooting percentage are the worst in his career playoffs; but on the other hand, he is the cornerstone of the Timberwolves defensive system, and has entered the defensive lineup for 8 consecutive years in 9 consecutive years.

Is he a defensive core or a premium burden? Let’s have a good chat today.

This Western Conference Final is Gobert's worst playoff game

First look at the data: averaging 7.9 points per game (not double-digit for the first time in his playoff career); 58.2% shooting percentage (the lowest in his career playoffs, an average of 65% in previous years); 8.6 rebounds (only 6.6 rebounds per game against the Thunder).

What's even more heartbreaking is that his offense is almost entirely dependent on his teammates - 75.7% of his shots are concentrated at 0-3 feet at the basket, with an assist rate of up to 77.7%. Simply put: he can't attack independently, he can only wait for his teammates to feed the cake.

Against Thunder G1, he was substituted for two fouls in 2 minutes; against Lakers G3, he had 1 point and 3 rebounds; against the Warriors, his rebounds were not even as good as Pojemsky; against the Thunder, his rebounds were crushed by Harten and Chett... Judging from the data, he was indeed awkward.

On-court performance: Defense is the cornerstone, offense is a loophole, but beyond the data, Gobert's defensive value cannot be ignored. Defensive end: He is the Timberwolves' franchise guard gate

21-22 season, the Timberwolves' defensive efficiency ranked 13th in the league; after Gobert joined, his defensive efficiency soared to the first in the league in the 23-24 season, and stabilized at 6th this season. His franchise protection, assisted defense and rebounding are the foundation for the Timberwolves to enter the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years.

Offensive end: He is a cake-eating tool, and the key battle is lost

, but in the high-end game of the playoffs, the opponent directly strangled his cake-eating route - shrinking the inside and cutting the pass, Gobert immediately failed.

In the last 3.5 seconds of G4 in the Western Conference Finals, Edwards deliberately missed the free throw, but Gobert stood still and did not grab the rebound, and the ball was taken away by SGA; G2 was trained by Jaylen Williams and Hartenstein, and failed to make an empty basket, and made mistakes in position... These low-level mistakes greatly reduced his defensive contribution.

Salary dispute: The total salary of 370 million is more than that of Shark. Is it really worth it?

What makes fans most furious is his salary - this season is 44 million, 35 million + 36.5 million + 38 million in the next three years, and his total career salary exceeds 370 million (more than O'Neal).

But his performance is seriously incompatible with this salary: offensive end: relying on eating cakes, without independent attack, being targeted by opponents in the playoffs until death; defensive end: moving slowly, afraid of changing defenses, facing the Thunder and the Warriors' five small lineups, it becomes a loophole; cost-effectiveness: Capela, Adams and other frame guard centers have an annual salary of about 20 million yuan, and Gobert is twice as expensive.

Timberwolves' dilemma: high salary locks the upper limit, and changing to the center may become the only solution

Timberwolves' ended in the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years, Gobert's high salary is invisible shackles. As a small-season team, the Timberwolves have no big market attractiveness and can only retain the core with high salaries. But Gobert's salary accounted for too high (15% of the salary cap this season), which caused the team to have no money to strengthen the space-type inside line, and Edwards' talent was also locked down - the opponent contracted to Gobert, and Edwards' breakthrough space was compressed.

In the future, the Timberwolves may consider trading Gobert to replace a center with strong athletic ability and mid-range shots. This will not only release Edwards' breakthrough space, but also enhance the diversity of offenses, so that the upper limit will be opened.

Gobert is not bad, it is too expensive

Gobert's problem is not that he is not capable - he is still a top franchise guard, and he has entered the defensive lineup for 8 consecutive times; it is because of the serious mismatch between salary and contribution.

If he cut his salary to about 20 million, as a defensive blue-collar worker, his reputation would be much better; but his annual salary of 44 million yuan, his offensive shortcomings and slow movement are destined to be the shackles of the team's upper limit.

The Timberwolves' future may be peacefully broken up with Gobert - for him, changing a team that matches salary can play a greater value; for the Timberwolves, if you make room for reinforcement, Edwards may be able to go further. After all, the playoff stage cannot tolerate high salary and low ability.