And his conditioning. It must be unbelievably frustrating that he doesnt slow down defensively at any point. 

yep he get disrespected too much for his defensive skill

The amount of disrespect he gets is insane. One of the greatest defenders to ever play the game and people act like he’s a fraud cause Luka hit an insane 3 when Rudy was draped all over him

Gobert is just proving that what people have been saying for years about his defense was just plain wrong.

The Wolves have been like 17 points per 100 better with Rudy in the post-season, its something truly unreal.

There was nothing to redeem. It’s just those who don’t know ball now also understand.

He’s literally never needed it.

He’s always obviously been an amazing paint and big man defender. I still maintain he makes too much money given his lack of offense. Although this has been softened by the rising cap.

I think mostly people just latched onto some past playoff lowlights of him getting cooked by elite guards but really that was just good offense.

Redemption? More like eye-opening.

Shaq’s hate for Rudy is so strong it’s destroyed his credibility in my mind. I don’t even trust The General or Carvana because of Shaq.

it was mind blowing to me that they had Shaq interview Gobert post-game.

Also kinda interesting that Shaq was respectful to his face. Didn’t expect him to be such a little bitch. You say it on national television, talk some shit to the Man’s face.

Jokic is missing open shots and hasn’t been shooting as well result ever since he got hurt a few months ago. Gobert is also playing A+ defense consistently, it’d be silly to dismiss outstanding defense just bc a player is missing some shots they normally make. At this level you’re pretty much always at least partially dependent on shooting luck as a defender - unless you physically block it, there’s some chance the guy is making it anyway. All you can do it make it more difficult and Gobert is doing a great job in that respect.

Gobert biggest impact it’s is he doesn’t get pushed under the basket to easy , so jokic can’t bully him like Naz Reid ,but yesterday in the first quarter he actually started shooting some mid range shots and was looking really good . I don’t know why he stops that and keeps trying to force a basket going in the post vs gobert .

Tbf anyone who doesn’t know that Shaq is an idiot who just says shit about any center that’s better than him in some facet of the game hasn’t been paying attention 

Shaq could have been the GOAT center but would rather trash other guys than own the fact that he was a lazy slob who just happened to be more naturally gifted than any human ought to have been 

Dude if you’ve watched the nuggets closely you know he’s right this time. I think Rudy is doing a better job being more active with his hands, but Jokic is still getting good looks he usually makes and we’ve seen Jokic dominate that 1v1 match up before.

He’s right. Rudy is playing great but jokic isnt the same. Something is off with him.

While being down 3-1 means that the Nuggets are, in all likelihood, fucked, I actually think they have a real chance to come back.

1, the Wolves are down two starting guards, including their franchise player.

2, shooting variance can swing the other way.

All the Nuggets need is a little shooting luck and Gordon to have enough time to get to 80% and this is a series again.

I wouldn’t bet on it happening, but I am not counting the Nuggets out yet.

I watched all four games. Your issue is Jokic’s defense. Timberwolves is so comfortable in their offense its like they dont break a sweat thats why they have so much energy on their defense.

They smell blood they know they can get their shots up they just need to stop you guys. Ive never seen them so comfortable even if you guys had a small lead.

Jokic passing the ball to Braun in crunch time in Game 2 may hunt y’all if the Wolves proceed

Do Denver fans or the team miss Malone?

Can’t wait to see Gobert vs Wemby next round

Let’s not forget that Gobert lost at least one DPOY because the media was tired of him and decided to eat up the narrative that he was “exposed” when it turned out he couldn’t play 1v5 on D with that bum-ass Jazz perimeter D in the playoffs

McDaniels putting Murray in jail towards the end of game 3 blew my mind. Jamal had nothing for it.

This is where they really miss MPJ. McDaniels is a terror. But MPJ’s combination of size and shooting would at least occupy enough of Jaden’s attention to make space for Murray/Joker. This sub did my boy so dirty after the OKC series despite the fact that he gutted through a serious injury.

I was like ‘okay okay maybe this trade will be defensible after a few years.’

No man the Gobert trade was a *win* for MInnesota, despite all the picks given up. Tim Connolly is truly a standout GM.

Dude gets Gobert, everyone pans it -> turns out to be the best decision
Dude gets NAW as a *salary throw in* on the DLo trade -> NAW becomes key playoff performer for Wolves and now ATL
Dude gets Ayo for a goddamned *2nd rounder* -> Ayo playing out of his mind in the playoffs.

Credit to Chris Finch as well for being able to utilize all the guys thrown his way. He’s a far cry from Adelman.

Nah this is like the one area Embiid can’t get slandered on. He also does a good job defending Jokic. The USA vs Serbia Olympic semifinals is a good example. Jokic still will get his 25+ pts, but there were several key possessions where Embiid forced a miss and got the rebound, not to mention he’d score on Jokic on the other end in an iso. He fueled that comeback win 

If it was Marc Gasol yeah but him and Rudy are different defenders. Embiid also got better on O since the 2019 serie

(Wait I thought you were saying Embiid wouldn’t shoot bad vs Rudy not that Embiid wouldn’t be able to guard Jokic? Or idk your angle)

The nuggets don’t run 5 out so he’s fine

enjoy it now soon enough luka will be hitting game winners over him again

the jumper falling off post-injury is a bigger factor than people realize. in 2023 jokic could punish gobert by pulling him out to the perimeter and hitting midrange shots all day. now he’s bricking those same looks and has to go through gobert at the rim instead of around him.

Jokic isn’t the same player anymore. His wrist and elbow injures took away his touch, it’s partly why he resorts to flopping more.

His defense on that play wasn’t even all that bad. Sometimes players just make the shots, especially at the NBA level.

Win-win

Yes. It includes the ones where either Gobert contested or Gobert switched away on purpose to leave him open. It doesnt count if McDaniels switched for example or made the effort to contest.

Possibly

He’s a regular season riser

That and him stanning RFK Jr..

This post really isn’t revisionist, just rewatch his last two game sevens

This is just playoff defense. Its the same for every superstar out there.

maybe compared to the pussy fouls they call in the regular season. welcome to real basketball