Rudy Gobert is not afraid to speak his mind about the Minnesota Timberwolves and voiced his concerns about the team. Following Friday’s loss, the team dropped to being tied with the Phoenix Suns for sixth place in the Western Conference. Let’s take a closer look at what he said and how the coaching staff reacted to it.
Rudy Gobert calls out teammates
It appears there seemingly is an issue of effort happening for the Minnesota Timberwolves right now. After losing on Friday to the New Orleans Pelicans 119-115, he spoke his mind about the effort by some of the players on the roster.
“At some point, if the players don’t have accountability, someone has to have accountability for the players. I’m on straight effort. I’m not even getting to the basketball side of things, like … mistakes are a part of the game, but the effort to me for a team that wants to play for a championship, it’s unacceptable.”
Gobert would continue to even mention that the coaching staff may have to begin benching players for a lack of effort.
“It’s not an easy position for a coach to take guys out of the game. It’s not something that you want to do, but I think if the players don’t show any effort, at some point, no matter how talented we are as a team, if you don’t have that, you just can’t be a winning team.”
Gobert did not signal any specific player or players out with his comments, but it is clear he is unhappy with how the team played.
Minnesota Timberwolves coach downplays comments
Ahead of Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, coach Chris Finch discussed Rudy Gobert’s comments and mentioned he was disappointed that the center went public with his disappointment.
“I handle all my conversations with ourselves in house. Disappointing [Gobert] felt the need to go outside. Nonetheless, that’s been addressed already today. There’s never been a team that’s won anything meaningful that substituted their way there.”
It will be intriguing to see if Rudy Gobert’s comments give the Timberwolves any momentum. It could lead to a players-only meeting to air some grievances or be the rift that breaks the team entirely.
