Rudy Gobert, the center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, extended his empathy towards Draymond Green following the indefinite suspension handed to the Golden State Warriors’ forward earlier this week. Speaking to ESPN after the Wolves’ victory over the Dallas Mavericks (119-101), Gobert shared his perspective on the situation.
Expressing his understanding, Gobert remarked, “I empathize with him. When you witness someone experiencing internal struggles and suffering, it transcends the game. Ultimately, you wish for their well-being, allowing them to partake in our nightly competition and find happiness.”
Regarding the ambiguity of the indefinite suspension’s implications, Gobert commented, “The nature of the suspension’s extent makes it challenging to judge its fairness. The priority lies in preventing severe harm. That’s the crux of the matter.”
Green faced this unique indefinite suspension after making contact with Phoenix Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic. Notably, this marked his third ejection and second suspension within a mere 15 games this season. His prior suspension, a five-game ban – then the longest of his career – occurred after an altercation involving Gobert on November 15.
Following that incident, Gobert openly criticized Green’s behavior, referring to it as “clownish” and anticipated Green’s ejection, particularly in the absence of Steph Curry. Gobert highlighted Green’s tendency to seek ejection whenever Curry was not on the court, emphasizing their prior confrontations.
While the recent altercation involving a chokehold was the most prominent clash between the two stellar defenders, it wasn’t their initial encounter. Their history dates back to 2019 when Green taunted Gobert on Twitter after Gobert expressed emotions during a press conference about missing the All-Star Game. This animosity continued during the 2022 All-Star Weekend when Green revisited Gobert’s past emotions.
Despite Gobert stating in 2022 that he held no grudge against Green, there were subtle instances of provocations between them. In October 2022, Gobert tweeted a remark about “insecurity” following Green’s altercation with Jordan Poole during practice. This prompted a similar retort from Green after Gobert’s clash with Kyle Anderson in April 2023.
Rudy Gobert recent statement might seem conciliatory on the surface, yet given their history, it appears to echo an underlying tension. Additionally, other players have hinted at potential issues beyond Green’s on-court conduct.
Jusuf Nurkic, after his encounter with Green, expressed uncertainty about Green’s situation, stating, “What’s going on with him? I don’t know. I feel like that brother needs help.”
Similarly, Kevin Durant, Green’s former teammate for three seasons, expressed his wish for Green to “receive the necessary support.”
Comments