Doc Rivers Disrespected Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert in Post-Game Comments

Doc Rivers’ post-game comments regarding Rudy Gobert following Game 4 of the series between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers were not only inaccurate, but downright disrespectful.

The late-game heroics of Joe Johnson may have very well been the most highlighted part of the Utah Jazz’s stunning come-from-behind Game 4 victory. However, although that recognition was most certainly deserved, the real bright point of the game and for the series moving forward is the fact that center Rudy Gobert was back in action and looked exceptional in his time on the floor.

After suffering a knee hyper-extension and bone bruise in the opening seconds of Game 1 after colliding knees with the Los Angeles Clippers’ Luc Mbah a Moute, speculation was high that perhaps Gobert would not even be able to return at any time during the series. Heading into Sunday morning, Rudy was listed as doubtful, then his injury status flipped to questionable after shootaround.

Then not long before the game, it was announced that Gobert would indeed play and start for the Utah Jazz in Game 4. Given that his return came earlier than many expected, this was huge news for the Jazz and their chances in the series. He played very well in Game 4 and his impact was most certainly felt in a variety of ways for this Jazz team and that should continue to be the case.

Unless, you were to ask Doc Rivers, that is. Both prior and following the game, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was adamant in saying that “he (Gobert) doesn’t affect what we do.”

This seems odd at best given that despite being far from 100 percent and playing a very limited 23 minutes, Rudy Gobert had himself a game. The Stifle Tower finished with 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting, 13 rebounds and two blocks. From the onset, he was a commanding presence in the paint, altering shots and using his length to clearly bother the Clippers.

There were several rebounds that Rudy pulled down that I clearly saw as boards that would have been missed in Games 1 through 3. Also, although Derrick Favors had a formidable bounce-back game (which will hopefully be a positive sign of him discrediting my article on him from yesterday), you could tell that Chris Paul was much more comfortable attacking the paint as he has all series with Favors in the game rather than Gobert.

In fact, the points in the paint themselves speak volumes. The Clippers absolutely dominated the Jazz in the paint in Games 2 and 3 by a margin of 60-38 and 48-28, respectively. But in Game 4, those numbers took an absolute turn as it was Utah that controlled the middle, logging 58 points in the paint to LA’s 36.

Not only did Gobert put in 12 of those points in the paint, but he had an impact simply by being in the starting lineup and allowing Derrick Favors to come off the bench, a role in which he flourished. For Doc Rivers, or anybody for that matter, to think that the discrepancy in points in the paint didn’t have at least somewhat to do with Rudy Gobert’s return is absolute lunacy.

Given how incredible of a season Rudy has put up, that he’s in consideration for Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA Honors and the simple fact that he was marvelous in Game 4 despite coming in off of an injury, is all just glaring proof that Rivers’ nonchalant approach to matching up against Rudy Gobert was downright disrespectful.

To say a guy like Rudy doesn’t affect the game plan is an absolute farce. He’s proven himself as one of the best centers and most impactful all-around players in the league and the fact that Doc Rivers just shrugged off what he brings to the table is ignorant and embarrassing.

For an even more detailed look at some of the ridiculousness regarding Gobert that Rivers spewed in his post-game interview, be sure to check out this great read below from SLC Dunk:

However, knowing the competitive nature of Rudy Gobert, I have a feeling that rather than hang his head at the slight, this is something that he will eat up. If Doc Rivers dares to hint that Gobert doesn’t affect the game or deem that the Stifle Tower doesn’t merit any adjustments, then so be it.

The Clippers will now have to deal with him for two to three more games and you can bet that he’ll be ready to show just what happens when a coach doesn’t plan for his daunting presence on both ends of the floor.

The Utah Jazz have knotted up their first-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers at two games apiece, despite the fact that Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert have yet to play anything close to a complete game with one another. Figure in the fact that Doc Rivers apparently doesn’t seem inclined to alter his strategy for Gobert and things are looking great for the Jazz.

The team that has won the battle of points in the paint has won every game in this series and with Gobert now back in action, that bodes well for the Jazz.

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The Stifle Tower will continue his return to the playoffs tomorrow night at 8:30 pm at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Hopefully all is well with the knee and we’ll get a repeat of Rudy’s Game 4 performance in the critical Game 5 bout.

All stats courtesy of NBA.com