Jaxson Hayes isn’t worried about the best defender in the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The first round matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves will probably be a fun series.
Certainly, both teams have incredible star power, but the contest is also a test for each head coach, as both have rosters on the other side.
On the one hand, Chris Finch’s Timberwolves have a more traditional roster with multiple big men, including Ludy Goatbert, the four-fold NBA defensive player of the year winner.
But on the other hand, JJ Redick relies on a small ball lineup throughout the majority of the second half of the regular season, except for the presence of Jaxson Hayes on the roster.
Hayes improved the game during the season, but many experts believe they will be exposed to goats in the opening round of the playoffs.
Hayes doesn’t seem to even bother facing Gobert, as he recently insisted that the triple NBA All-Star isn’t even his main focus.
“Put him out in the box, force turnovers, set the screen. He (Goat) is not my main focus. Obviously, he is my main matchup, but my main focus is to open someone like Luka (Don Chic).
“I’m going to rebound and crash hard and beat him, that’s my goal,” Hayes said.
Well, that’s a big statement before the postseason and could certainly serve as a special motivation for Goat to show off his defensiveness against the Lakers.
If Hayes is more concerned about getting the star players to score freely, Goatbert’s priority is to become an elite player on both ends of the floor.
In fact, Gobert admitted that he must be the second best player on the TO-Olves roster to advance to the Western Conference semi-finals.
The greatest thorn in Gobert’s path is nothing but Luka Donsic. The former Dallas Mavericks superstar torched Rudy at WCF last season.
Now, with the addition of LeBron James and Austin Reeves, it’s no surprise that Luca will goat multiple possessions in the entire series game.