(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
To say that Rudy Gobert is one of the least beloved and respected players in the NBA would be a huge understatement.
For years, his colleagues have taken shot after shot at him, questioning his defensive impact, calling him out, calling him soft, and not giving him the respect one would give a multi-time Defensive Player of the Year.
That was on full display again on Friday night.
Luka Doncic knocked down a huge step-back three-pointer over him, cursed him out, and let him know that he couldn’t guard him.
Following the loss, Gobert admitted that he let the team down on that final play (Via Dave McMenamin).
Rudy Gobert: “We just switched on the pick-and-roll and I was on an iso on Luka and he hit a big-time shot. I let my team down on that last play.”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 25, 2024
Granted, all big men would be at a disadvantage when switched onto a guard in that situation, and it was a poor decision by coach Chris Finch to even put him in that position.
Also, Doncic has the clutch gene and has knocked down countless big shots in his career, and there’s just not much anybody can do to stop a player like him.
Then again, the fact that the Mavericks’ entire gameplan has been to attack Gobert with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively or get the guards driving and knocking down shots from below the rim speaks volumes about Gobert’s true defensive impact in the playoffs.
The French big man made big strides as a perimeter defender this season, but he got exposed again when it mattered the most.
Gobert has already secured a spot in the Hall of Fame.
He’s tied for the most Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Still, his own colleagues will continue to remember him more for these kinds of lowlights than for his rim protection in the regular season.
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