Rudy Gobert: I Wasn't 'Completely Welcomed' by T-Wolves Fans, Had to 'Earn' Respect

Rudy Gobert admitted he had to keep his emotions in check during his first year in Minnesota as Timberwolves fans criticized the team for acquiring the All-Star center.

"I try to stay off my emotions, but I'm a very emotional human being," Gobert told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. "I felt that with the fan base, maybe I wasn't completely welcomed. But at the same time, I knew that I had to earn the respect in a way and that's part of it. When you're good, people are going to cheer for you. When you're not good, people are going to criticize you …"When I look back now, it's part of the process. I guess it comes with the expectations. It's not something magical where [instantly], 'Rudy is here. We're not in the NBA Finals. We're not the best defense in the league.' Maybe they were [disappointed]. It's part of the process. It wasn't great to hear some of the things that I heard, but I had to turn off the emotions a little bit and focus on winning."

Gobert's first season in Minnesota was largely a mess, with the three-time Defensive Player of the Year showing obvious signs of decline while struggling to mesh with fellow big man Karl-Anthony Towns. Given the massive amount of capital the Timberwolves gave up to acquire Gobert—highlighted by four first-round draft picks (three unprotected)—the frustration was understandable.

The fans (rightfully) viewed Gobert as a $40-plus million albatross in the middle, taking up a spot that was already occupied by an All-Star center. The trade looked like a franchise-killing combination of shortsighted and instantly regrettable.

The Wolves will almost certainly lose this trade over the longer term, but Gobert's improved play has been an integral part of their 7-2 start. Minnesota is allowing an NBA-best 102.0 points per 100 possessions, nearly four points better than the second-place Orlando Magic. Gobert is back to playing at DPOY form, with opponents shooting just 36.2 percent against him in the paint.

"After nine years in Utah, it just probably took him a little while to feel settled," Wolves coach Chris Finch said. "This year, he's healthier. He comes in with a mindset to dominate. He's really bought into some of the changes that we've asked of him. We learned a lot from him last year. But we also learned that we know we needed to do things slightly differently, and he just feels like a rejuvenated 23-year-old."

The Wolves have also benefited from an ascending Anthony Edwards, who has become the unquestioned team leader and one of the NBA's best scorers in his fourth season. It remains to be seen whether the stellar play on both ends of the floor will remain, but for now at least the boo birds have quieted down.