In a recent chat with the media, Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert explained his perspective on why his career is so controversial, and so often overlooked by the NBA fanbase. According to Gobert, it has to do with a combination of his play style and his status as an international athlete.
"In their eyes, I'm more like the odd guy from France that's winning a lot of awards, and it can bother people," said Gobert, via ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "I impact the games in a very unique way. It's maybe not as cool or not as flashy as some other guys, so it's sometimes harder for them to respect that. I just think I'm just mostly misunderstood. I think I trigger a lot of these guys."
On paper, Gobert's resume is one of the best in the league. Over 10 years in the NBA, he's a 3x All-Star, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, and 4x All-NBA player. At 7'1" and 250+ pounds with long arms, Rudy is a natural paint protector and his impact on the floor made the Timberwolves one of the best defensive teams in the league this season.
Owed over $120 million over the next three seasons, Gobert is certainly getting paid like one of the best in the world, and the Timberwolves recognize how important he is to their success this season. The same cannot be said of many critics, however, who struggle to understand why Rudy is rated so highly among NBA big men.
From random fans to ex-players like Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce, countless individuals have come forward to try and discredit Rudy's career. A common sticking point for the haters is that Rudy is the most overpaid "star" in the entire NBA. But after helping to lead the Timberwolves to the third-best record in the West this season, he's proving them wrong before our very eyes.
The Ultimate Redemption Arc For Rudy Gobert
Gobert will have a chance to make a statement this summer at the Paris Olympic Games, but he can do something even bigger this post-season. On a Timberwolves franchise that lacks any kind of playoff success, Rudy can make history with this team if he's able to help them maintain their status as the best defensive team in basketball.
On Saturday, he dropped 14 points and 16 rebounds to help Minnesota take a 1-0 series lead over the Suns, but he'll need to keep it going if he wants to silence the haters once and for all.
After years of underachieving with her Utah Jazz, the jury is still out on whether Rudy can be someone who steps up when the lights are brightest and he'll be put the the ultimate test this season. As a team with enormous expectations, Minnesota cannot afford to get bounced early and Gobert's very legacy is on the line against Kevin Durant and company.
But between Gobert's elite defensive rim protection and the impossible shot-making of Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves have a good chance to break their franchise's cycle of losing to establish a new culture of dominance and confidence for the foreseeable future. Either way, Rudy Gobert is the X-factor for the Timberwolves and it can no longer be denied how good he's been all season long.
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