Rudy Gobert, once a towering presence in the NBA, is facing the harsh reality that even giants fall. At 32, Gobert is no longer the French team’s go-to guy. Instead, he’s been relegated to the bench in a move that’s raising more eyebrows than cheers. In a shocking twist, Rudy Gobert’s DPOY legacy—once a badge of honor—is now overshadowed by his struggle to secure more than a few minutes on the court.
From Hero to Zero: Rudy Gobert’s DPOY Legacy Under Fire
The Frenchman’s demotion started subtly but has become glaringly obvious in the recent quarterfinals and semifinals, where he played less than 10 minutes combined. But the shockwaves didn’t stop there. Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas had already called Gobert a “liability,” but this time, it’s another voice from Gil’s Arena that’s making waves. Rashad McCants, who once backed Gobert, has now flipped the script, claiming, “He’s getting older, and his time’s up.”
McCants didn’t stop there. He hinted that Gobert’s so-called finger injury might be more of an excuse than a reason for his benching. Co-host Josiah Johnson threw more fuel on the fire by questioning how Gobert could play at all if he’s truly hurt. The French team’s coach, Vincent Collet, added another layer of controversy, dismissing the injury claim altogether and stating the benching was purely strategic. Is Gobert truly injured, or is there more to this story?
The debate rages on, with the discussion even casting doubt on Gobert’s DPOY accolades. Lexie Brown, guard for the Los Angeles Sparks, didn’t mince words, questioning whether Gobert truly deserved his awards, except for maybe the first one. She’s not alone. The whispers of doubt have grown louder, with many pointing to Gobert’s lackluster performance against Nikola Jokic last season as evidence that the former star is past his prime.
Adding to the criticism, former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins recently voiced his disappointment in Gobert snagging the 2024 DPOY award. Cousins, who has faced Gobert multiple times, bluntly stated that the Frenchman doesn’t have the impact a DPOY winner should. “If you’re the best defender, you should never be off the floor,” Cousins argued, questioning why Gobert is continually rewarded despite his playoff shortcomings.
As the new season looms, all eyes are on Gobert. Can he silence his critics and prove that he’s still a force to be reckoned with? Or is this the beginning of the end for the once-dominant star?
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