Stephen Matteren
Rudy’s video of Gobert punching Kyle Anderson in Sunday’s Timberwolves win over the New Orleans Pelicans is one of the enduring images from the final day of the regular season.
Gobert and Anderson got into an altercation during a timeout that eventually resulted in the 7-footer swinging at his teammate, and the pair needed to separate.
He was eventually sent home after the incident. Anger surrounding the situation is widespread around the league. Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green expressed sympathy for Gobert, though he did not support his actions.
“Personally, I think Rudy Gobert is a little softer, myself,” Green said on the latest episode of the podcast. “He earned a little respect from me because he stood up for himself. I’ve never really seen this guy stand up for himself. Don’t really know if this guy is capable of standing up for himself.
” He stood up for himself. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work. Take it from me, I know what that’s all about. It doesn’t quite work in that environment. But I do understand the thinking. …Unfortunately for Rudy Gobert, it was the wrong call. Gobert will be suspended for Minnesota – Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, it was reported Monday. The team will also be without defensive back Jaden McDaniels and big man Nazreed, who are both sidelined with injuries.
If The three-time Defensive Player of the Year will be available for Timberwolves’ loss to the Lakers or any of their future playoff series. Gobert, 30, was traded to Minnesota last offseason for four first-round picks and Rookie of the Year center Walker Kessler. He averaged 13.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game 69 games into the season. His 1.4 blocks are a career low.
Meanwhile, Green is preparing to help the Warriors defend their NBA title The champion, as the No. 6 seed in the West, knows what happened to Gobert very well, because he had a spat earlier this year. Shortly before the start of the regular season, video surfaced of Green punching teammate Jordan Poole in a preseason practice. He ended up walking away from the team for a few days, but was not suspended for the incident like Gobert was.
Despite the news on his podcast, Green actually tweeted about it by writing “Insecurities are always loud” Laughing at the three-time All-Star, here’s what Gobert tweeted after Green’s situation with Poole.
