Rudy Gobert got a warm reception in his return to Utah Friday night, but things turned hostile after he dropped in a late layup with the game already decided, writes Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune. The Timberwolves held an eight-point lead with 12 seconds left to play as the Jazz decided to trap on defense. Minnesota passed the ball to Gobert, who scored with 2.4 seconds left.
After the final buzzer, Malik Beasley, who was sent to Utah in the Gobert trade, began yelling at Gobert and accused him of violating “one of the unwritten rules of basketball,” according to Walden. Jarred Vanderbilt, who was also in the deal, walked up to Gobert and shoved him.
Gobert was upset that the skirmish marred his night, which included a tribute video commemorating his nine seasons with the Jazz.
“I don’t know what it was. But I’ve been taught to play basketball until the last second,” Gobert told reporters. “For me, there was never any intent to disrespect anybody. So these guys that stepped in front of me — you’re not going to do anything anyway. I didn’t get to shake hands with my guys, so it kind of killed my moment a little bit. But it is what it is — some guys just want attention.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Jazz guard Mike Conley can understand what Gobert was feeling heading into Friday’s game because he went through the same experience when he returned to Memphis, Walden adds. “You just gotta try your best to do your job, but at the same time enjoy this moment,” Conley said, “because you only get to do this situation one time, where you get to come back and play against your team that you did so much for.”
- A hot-shooting night in Cleveland about a month ago helped Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell turn his season around, per Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. Russell said that before that game, in which he made 11-of-13 shots from the field, he was taking “the wrong approach” to his duties with the team. “I was trying to be too focused on being a point guard instead of a basketball player,” he said. “… I kind of just play basketball freely and have fun. I pass the ball, so I’m labeled as a point guard. But just being a full, all-around basketball player, [I was] switching my approach to that.”
- Asked about Darius Bazley possibly re-entering the rotation, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault responded with a general answer, tweets Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. “We’re trying to help every guy understand their individual style of play that maximizes their strength and maximizes their ability to impact the team,” Daigneault said. “I would say that’s basically the template, the blueprint for every guy.”
If you’re trying to trap and force a turnover, you just disarmed the “unwritten rule”.
Anything is fair game if you’re still playing defense at that point.
Exactly – you press under 24s, you accept being scored on under 24s. You don’t get some sort of risk free opportunity to pad your own stats.
If the game was over, why play defense?
Also, Utah loves Rudy – they got a haul for his 13.7 pts and 11.9 rebounds.
Vanderbilt last game against the Twolves dunked and yelled up 10+ and could’ve just waited it out so it’s only fair Hobert got to do it back to them.
Move on play to the last minute
Dudes have clauses in their contracts set on points, FG% and so on. Ain’t no way I’m leaving money on the table because it might hurt some dudes feeling on the other team. Be better.
Fans also pay good money they don’t want players to give up for the last 30 odd seconds cause their team is up
Actually, they were only up 4 and his dunk sealed the win. It’s a bit different.
Rudy is consistent. You can’t fault the guy for matching the defense’s energy. Not a big deal.
Good for Gobert!!!
If that is a rule is the most stupid one, right?
If there is time in the clock you play & you score, not your fault the lesser players in the other team stink!
Just like Zion’s fantastic dunk… not his fault that PHO are just so bad & can’t play hoops, them Suns players should just enjoyed the show & be grateful to Zion for the monster dunk, one for the ages!
All these nonsensical “unwritten rules” across U.S. sports exist merely because there’s no real competition in these franchise challenge cup leagues. They’re rather billionaires’ welfare ventures without relegation, which actually reward bad performances with better draft positions and financial compensation for poor attendance, see MLB.
Gobert’s assertion, that he’s been taught to play a game until the end, derives from the superior level of competition within European sports. There’s relegation, i.e. promotion and demotion, across all sports leagues, be it football, volleyball, handball, table tennis, etc.. In addition, the top leagues reward their best with participation in lucrative international tournaments, e.g. the Champions League, EuroLeague.
In consequence of these rules, details like goal and point difference come into play when determining each participant’s exact position within its respective league.
That’s why many European athletes have very little sympathy for that whiny American “please don’t hurt my feelings” attitude, once a victory got out of reach. When every goal or point can determine the immediate future of one’s club and therefore also one’s career, there’s absolutely no room for an opponent’s emotional support. Every here athlete knows that.
It’s more of a gentlemen’s rule of good sportsmanship. These days it’s all about “get rekt”. Too many childish examples in the public eye. Guess these NBA players want to keep some of the game’s traditions alive.
Russell just happened to find his Groove when KAT went down? The fit & chemistry for the Wolves is better when only 1 of Gobert, or Kat is on the floor. Its evident, and only took a game to prove. KAT going down is sealing the fate of the KAT & Gobert beta test. Next season one of these guys is playing somewhere else.
Towns to NYK next year you watch. Randle, Mitchell and a bunch of picks.