Minnesota Timberwolves fans are more than aware of the amount of undeserved criticism Rudy Gobert receives. After Rudy took home his record-tying fourth Defensive Player of the Year award this past season, there has been plenty of talk about him as a player and questions of whether he deserved his award.
These discussions, as many are aware, are usually not very thought-provoking. Many of them tend to come off as filled with jealousy when other current players are the ones delivering the message, and oftentimes the criticism of Gobert's game that is offered is either a pretty big reach or simply disingenuous.
This week, the latest critic of Rudy's game was revealed when Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively appeared on Theo Pinson's Run Your Race Podcast. In discussing how salaries affect players' roles around the league, Pinson used Gobert as an example. Yes, really.
Theo tried to make the argument that Rudy was getting favorable playing time in the playoffs due to his very high annual salary of $41 million last season. Pinson's criticism is especially surprising given his own inexperience. Theo has played just 22 total minutes in his career in the playoffs, and his guest in Lively is of course coming off his rookie year.
Theo Pinson and Dereck Lively criticized Rudy Gobert
The point Pinson was trying to make was that some players are favored by coaches based on how much money they make. "The Minnesota Timberwolves, there is zero reason Rudy Gobert should have been on that court," Pinson said. Lively instantly agreed with him. "Zero," he said back.
Man, talk about an echo chamber. "But you are paying him about $40, $50 million," said Theo. "You better get your a-- out there & figure it the f--- out.”
This is unfortunately a really misplaced argument. In fact, there's not much about it that makes any sense at all. Anyone that watched that series knows Rudy was far from the reason Minnesota was sent home by Dallas. He actually played his role rather well in those five games, but perhaps all anyone remembers is Luka Doncic hitting that game-winner over him in Game 2.
It is really unfortunate that two guys who know a lot about basketball would choose to go along with this largely baseless argument. Many also pointed out on social media that it is rather ironic Lively agreed, given that he is roughly the same player archetype as Gobert, although not nearly as talented or successful.
It is clear that no matter what Rudy Gobert does, he is going to be attacked and discredited by members of the media and his peers alike. But despite this, the truth is that Rudy remains among the best at his position in the NBA. He does not have to prove himself to anyone, and his body of work speaks for itself to anyone who reads beyond the mainstream media talking points.