As the NBA season approaches its midway point, many are surprised to see the Minnesota Timberwolves leading the league with a 17-4 record. While their offensive performance is average, their defensive dominance, fueled by center Rudy Gobert, has been the key to their success.

With an impressive 104.1 defensive rating, the Timberwolves boast the best defense in the NBA. Gobert, averaging 2.5 blocks and 12.4 rebounds per game, anchors their defensive scheme. Play-by-play commentator Michael Grady, acknowledging his possible bias, believes Gobert should be in the MVP conversation.

Despite initial skepticism surrounding the trade that brought Gobert to Minnesota in 2022, the team has defied expectations. The concerns about his offensive limitations and potential redundancy with Karl-Anthony Towns seem unfounded as they have achieved the league's best record.

While declaring Gobert an MVP candidate might be a stretch, the Timberwolves' defensive prowess is undeniable. If they can maintain this level of play, they could potentially make a deep playoff run, something the franchise hasn't achieved in years.