Last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ championship dreams were cut short when they were defeated 4-1 by the Dallas Mavericks in the Conference Finals. Despite the disappointing end to their season, Rudy Gobert secured a major achievement by being named the Defensive Player of the Year.
However, this victory did not come without its share of controversy. Criticism quickly followed Gobert as many questioned whether he was truly deserving of the title.
The debate reignited recently when Mavericks star Dereck Lively II and former NBA player Theo Pinson took a subtle dig at Gobert’s performance during a Nike EYBL appearance. Pinson didn’t hold back, starting the conversation with a blunt critique of Gobert’s presence during the Western Conference Finals.
“There are zero reasons why Rudy Gobert should have been on that court,” Pinson said.
Lively II then supported Pinson’s statement, saying, “Zero.” Pinson then went on to reference Gobert’s massive contract extension. Given his recent performances, Gobert’s massive five-year $205 million contract has been a point of contention.
“But you’re paying him like 40-50 million dollars. Better get your *ss out there and figure it out once and for all,” Pinson added.
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The Mavs star also agreed with Pinson, saying, “And he didn’t.”
Rudy Gobert’s Stats in the 2023–24 Season’s Western Conference Finals
Rudy Gobert played a crucial role for the Minnesota Timberwolves during last season’s Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. He appeared in all five games, averaging 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting an impressive 62.9% from the field.
The Wolves star averaged 14.0 points , 12.9 rebounds, and 2.13 blocks per game. He led the Timberwolves to earn the No. 3 playoff seed in the Western Conference.
In recognition of his on-court performance, his DPOY award made him the first player in the Timberwolves’ history to win the honor. This achievement also placed Gobert among elite companies. He became only the third player in NBA history to win the DPOY award four times, joining legends Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace.
