Draymond Green has had a change of heart when it comes to Rudy Gobert. After the Minnesota Timberwolves impressively swept Jusuf Nurkić and the Phoenix Suns in their first-round NBA playoff series, Green used the latest episode of the “Draymond Green Show” to praise Gobert for his performance.
Green stated,
“What Anthony Edwards has taken those guys and done is absolutely amazing. Like, Rudy’s actually not trash anymore. He defends now and ironically, he’s already an All-Defensive player. But I mean, when you see him on the switches, he’s up at the level. He’s not just sitting back in the drop anymore. When he gets switched onto the guy, it’s like his antennas pop on.”
Draymond Green:
“Rudy Gobert is actually not trash anymore.”
(via @TheVolumeSports) pic.twitter.com/9k45krLK6H
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 29, 2024
This is quite a shift from Green’s previous stance. He had never shied away from taking shots at Gobert in the past. However, times are changing as Edwards continues to elevate the Timberwolves. Gobert played a critical role in Minnesota’s elite deterrence of big-name Phoenix scorers Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal over the past week.
Green acknowledged Gobert as no longer “trash” and highlighted his versatility within Minnesota’s system, something he failed to offer in prior playoff series as a member of the Utah Jazz.
According to Green, Gobert is now impacting winning, especially on the defensive end. Before, if you went five guards, there was no chance Rudy Gobert could play, but now he’s proving his ability to defend at a higher level. It’s not just a change in ability; it’s a change in what’s required of him.
The two defenders had beef throughout the 2023-24 NBA regular season after Green put Gobert in a headlock back in November, resulting in a five-game suspension for the Warriors star.
Gobert extended an olive branch to Green in December, and his strong impact on the court may have influenced Green’s positive comments. It seems that Green’s perspective on Gobert has evolved, and he’s giving credit where it’s due.
Fans reacted as follows:
LMAO the most backhanded compliment
— Divvy.Bet (@DivvyBet) April 29, 2024
Rudy Gobert is ten times the player Draymond Green has ever been
— 🐺 (@CookdByCarter) April 29, 2024
He’s better than you ever were
— ⚒️🏆Championship Otto 🃏🏹 (@ChiefOttoSosa) April 29, 2024
He was never trash your trash
— Kyrie’s Hub (@kyrieshub) April 29, 2024
Draymond respecting Rudy???
THE WORLD HAS GONE NUTS💀 pic.twitter.com/5Jkt87v1Fc
— E-Man (@WigginsWick22) April 29, 2024
This is what happens when people who don’t watch Rudy Gobert play decide to spin narratives.
Rudy has never been trash. It was always the Jazz complete absence of perimeter defense that left Rudy out to dry.
— Tim Garrison (@TimGarrisonMN) April 29, 2024
Rudy Gobert actually stepped his game up in that Suns series.. 🫡
— NYCDaFuture (@NYCDaFuture_) April 29, 2024
He acknowledges the improvement
— Ramesh Saxena (@Docktus_) April 29, 2024
After he choked him he improved
— Per Sources (@PerSources) April 29, 2024
Draymond has such a way with words!
— Sahil Shah (@sahilshahinvest) April 29, 2024
Rudy realizing this is a backhanded compliment: 😭 pic.twitter.com/mzeX7W7xeB
— Numbahwon (@Numbahwon1) April 29, 2024
