Rudy Gobert. Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Rudy Gobert fires back at Charles Barkley after Game 7 win

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 5/20/24

Rudy Gobert had become the punching bag for analysts, former players and fans alike after the Nuggets routed the Timberwolves in Games 3, 4 and 5 to take a 3-2 series lead.

Draymond Green and Charles Barkley went as far as to suggest that the Timberwolves were better off benching Gobert in favor of Naz Reid. During the halftime break of Sunday's Game 7, when the Nuggets were up by 15 points, Barkley doubled down on his take on "Inside the NBA" on TNT.

"They gotta take Gobert out the game ... Joker is just throwing him around like a damn rag doll," Barkley said after watching Nikola Jokic dominate the first half with 13 points, 15 boards and five assists.

Gobert had the last laugh, helping lead the Timberwolves to a huge second-half comeback and a 98-90 win.

If you’re calling for Rudy Gobert to be'';' benched at halftime you might want to address his impact in the second half when Denver was outscored 60 to 37.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) May 20, 2024

When asked about Barkley's comments, Gobert said he was glad his coaching staff didn't heed the advice of the Hall of Famer.

"I don’t watch those guys, so I don’t know what they talk about, they have to talk about something ... But yeah, I'm glad coach [Chris Finch] didn't listen to his advice," Gobert said.

Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert on TNT’s Charles Barkley suggesting he should be benched in Game 7 win over Nuggets: “I don’t watch these guys. … I’m glad coach didn’t listen to his advice.” pic.twitter.com/RLjW0RYn9y
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 20, 2024

Minnesota's coaching staff didn't bench Gobert but made a key halftime adjustment, asking Karl-Anthony Towns to be the primary defender on Jokic. While KAT did a commendable job guarding the three-time MVP, Gobert impacted the game with his help-side defense and his ability to clog driving lanes for Jamal Murray.

Gobert also made an uncharacteristic fadeaway shot to give his team a 79-75 lead in the fourth.

Even as others question Gobert's credentials, his Timberwolves teammates appreciate him and his value.

"When Rudy hit the turnaround, I was like, 'Yeah, we've probably got 'em,'" Anthony Edwards told reporters. "I know that'll kill the whole — that'll kill everything. Big shout-out to Big Ru', man. He hit a turnaround on their [selves]."

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