Timberwolves Star Working Out With 'Lethal Shooting' Coach This Offseason

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is spending the offseason working out with Chris Matthews, also known in NBA circles as “Lethal Shooter.”

There are many things that Rudy Gobert does well on a basketball court. The first is playing defense. The Frenchman has been a dominant force on that end since his rookie season, has made All-Defense seven times, and is one of only three players to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award four times or more (Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo are the others).

Gobert is also a beast on the boards, averaging 11.7 rebounds per game over the course of his career. The center's athleticism allows him to get free for constant dunks at the rim. 

But Gobert can't shoot. Despite standing 7-foot-1, he only shot 23% from within 4–14 feet of the basket last season. That is exactly what he is trying to improve by working with Matthews this summer.

The coach is impressed with Gobert's work ethic, saying of the Timberwolves' star, "Rudy Gobert is committed to mastering his footwork and learning quicker reads to a smooth rhythm. I’ve been blessed over my career to help Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, Bobby Portis, Dwight Howard etc. Five guys who are dominate from 15ft and in."

Minnesota has been one of the NBA's best teams over the last two seasons, though they have not been able to get over the hump in the conference finals. Incremental improvements could be enough to get the team over the hump, and that is what Gobert is after.