The prevailing narrative was that Julius Randle is a disappointment in the playoffs. No matter how many Defensive Player of the Year Awards Rudy Gobert won, he remained constant target of criticism from most well-known NBA commentators.

The Minnesota Timberwolves spent Game 5 in a dismal shooting funk, providing the Los Angeles Lakers with ample opportunity to stave off playoff elimination. While his teammates struggled, Rudy Gobert stepped up against the small-ball Lakers — and on their big man’s shoulders,

Julius Randle, after taking accountability following the Timberwolves' Game 1 defeat, was a monster in their Game 2 win vs. the Warriors.