Charles Barkley: NBA should've issued tougher punishment on Rudy Gobert
Charles Barkley wanted Rudy Gobert suspended for his comments about game officials and sports betting. Gobert made the inflammatory comments after fouling against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.
"I thought he should have got suspended," Barkley said on a recent NBA on TNT post game show. "The one thing we can never do in sports, ever, is make people think it's fixed. If we ever get to the point, in any sport, it would ruin the sport if people thought it was fixed. They've fined Luka Doncic. They've fined Rudy Gobert before. I thought they should have suspended him."
Gobert was fined $100,000 on Monday for his comments after the Cleveland game. Upon his ejection from the court, the veteran center made a money gesture to the officials.
“Mistakes happen," Gobert said after the game. "Referees make mistakes, too. But sometimes I think it’s more than mistakes. I think everyone that’s in this league knows. I think it’s got to get better. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way.”
It's no secret that Gobert has been outspoken on league decisions before. The nature of his comments and his track record for making inflammatory claims is why his fine was so heavy.
However, it's not surprising that Barkley believes a suspension was warranted. Gobert was questioning the integrity of the league itself. To insinuate that officials were being swayed by sports betting is to question the league's vetting process and, in turn, risk, its reputation.
The NBA is a global entertainment company, and that entertainment is predicated on the game being fair and honest. Gobert is likely on thin ice with the league and potentially with the Timberwolves front office.
Minnesota will hope he can hold his tongue moving forward. After all, the team can't afford to lose its star rim protector in what is rapidly becoming one of the franchise's best seasons in recent memory.
More must-reads: