The Dallas Mavericks made their way back to the NBA Finals this past season before falling to the Boston Celtics in five games. On the way to the Finals, Dallas ran into a few teams that many believed would beat them.
One of those teams was the Minnesota Timberwolves, who matched up with the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. Dallas took down Minnesota easily in five games but one of the main storylines was the play of Minnesota star center Rudy Gobert.
Despite winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, Gobert was virtually unplayable during the Western Conference Finals against Dallas. His play hindered the Timberwolves and it seems that Dallas took notice.
Two members of the Mavericks, current center Dereck Lively II and former guard (currently in the G League) Theo Pinson, called out Gobert for his performance in the postseason.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
The two players were asked about whether teams tend to play people based on who makes the most money. The responses took aim at Gobert.
Pinson started the shot at the center.
“Perfect example, they played the Minnesota Timberwolves, there’s zero reason Rudy Gobert should’ve been on that court.”
Lively then agreed with Pinson.
“Zero.”
Pinson continued his criticism of the Timberwolves big man.
“But, you are paying him about $40M-$50M, you better get your a– out there and figure it the f— out.”
Lively agreed that Gobert wasn’t able to put it together on the court.
A camper asked Dereck Lively II and Theo Pinson, “Is it true they play whoever makes more money?”
TP: “Perfect example, they played the Minnesota Timberwolves (WCF matchup), there’s 0 reason Rudy Gobert should’ve been on that court.”
D-Live: “Zero.”
TP: “But, you are paying… pic.twitter.com/CFUldhz7dr
— NBA Buzz (@FrontcourtBuzz) September 3, 2024
Gobert has won the Defensive Player of the Year honor four times throughout his career, but oftentimes, it’s due to his role in a team defensive scheme. The big man consistently doesn’t show up in the postseason, leading to a ton of criticism being fired his way.
The two Mavericks players aren’t the only ones who have called Gobert out this offseason, with former NBA star center Dwight Howard making his feelings known as well.
“I mean, It’s tough to say, you know, because I never want to say nothing negative about any players,” Howard said. “But I don’t think he deserved those Defensive Player of the Years like he got ’em. I feel like he’s a great team defender. But for what he did to get those Defensive Player of the Years, I don’t see it.
“I don’t see him being an elite defender. I see him as somebody who has the size. He’s seven-two. So when you seven-two, and you playing with athletic guys, you don’t have to do nothing but clean up their mistakes or just be big in the paint.”
Gobert has done a good job making a name for himself in the NBA but his lack of production when it matters most is concerning. He is scheduled to make $43.8 million this season and $46.6 million next year.
Unless Gobert steps up this season, Minnesota could see similar troubles in the playoffs. But being called out like this should make for some interesting moments when the Mavericks face off against Minnesota this season.
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