Dereck Lively II puts ex-Jazzman Rudy Gobert on blast
By Matt John
Former Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has always been an easy target for criticism. Because of his offensive limitations, his detractors use that to try to overshadow the fact that he is one of the best defenders of his era and all-time.
It's why former players like Shaquille O'Neal have criticized him countlessly. Apparently, even current players won't hold back when talking about him. The newest Gobert critic is Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II.
Lively, who faced Gobert in the Western Conference Finals, may not have said much, but he said enough to raise some eyebrows.
Lively affirms the Timberwolves should have kept Gobert on the bench during WCF
During a Nike basketball camp featuring former NBA player Theo Pinson, Pinson said that the Timberwolves had "zero" reason to play Gobert late in the game with the Mavericks, to which Lively affirmed by saying "zero" himself.
Pinson later elaborated that they played him because of how much they pay him while adding that he needed to figure it out. Lively's response was that Gobert did not.
A camper asked Dereck Lively II and Theo Pinson, "Is it true they play whoever makes more money?"
— NBA Buzz (@FrontcourtBuzz) September 3, 2024
TP: “Perfect example, they played the Minnesota Timberwolves (WCF matchup), there’s 0 reason Rudy Gobert should’ve been on that court.”
D-Live: “Zero.”
TP: “But, you are paying… pic.twitter.com/CFUldhz7dr
This is likely in reference to when Luka Doncic went up against Gobert in an ISO during Game 2 of the Mavericks' series against the Timberwolves in 2024. Doncic not only hit the go-ahead three to seal the victory, but he also put Gobert on skates in the process.
While Gobert haters were quick to use this as proof of Gobert being a liability defensively in crunchtime, really, it's more proof that Luka Doncic, one of the very best players in the NBA, is, in fact, one of the very best players in the NBA.
Gobert certainly has his warts, but Minnesota would not have become the powerhouse it did without him. They beat the reigning NBA Champions in the postseason, and a lot of the credit goes to him. Their success may not have continued against Dallas, but that kind of accomplishment should not go unrecognized, even if they didn't achieve what they wanted in the end.
And Lively is one to talk, knowing that he and the Mavericks got embarrassed by the Celtics on the NBA's biggest stage the very next round.
Gobert may not be with the Jazz anymore - and the Jazz have received high marks for cashing in on him as much as they did - but it's easy to root for him and defend him since the Jazz aren't winning anything anytime soon.