UP TO YOU
Draymond Green slammed by Inside the NBA viewers for ‘pure hate’ toward Rudy Gobert after scathing live TV attacks
Green filled in for Barkley on the popular TNT show
GOLDEN State Warriors forward Draymond Green has laid into Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert.
Gobert and the Timberwolves fell to a third straight defeat against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, leaving them down 3-2 in the Playoff series.
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It marked another rough outing for Defensive Player of the Year Gobert, who struggled against MVP Nikola Jokic, who racked up 40 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds on the night.
"We know he's a one-of-a-kind player, we know he's going to make some incredible plays," Gobert told reporters of Jokic.
"But we've got to keep battling.
"We've got to keep making it tough on him, fighting him, and if when scores, if he scores, and he will score at some point, we've got to keep playing and take it right back at them."
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Green, who was filling in for Charles Barkley on TNT's Inside The NBA alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and fellow replacement Vince Carter, wasn't keen on Gobert's liberal use of "we."
"The big Frenchman is sitting on that podium, speaking his native language," he said.
"'We, we, we need to do this.' You, you, you need to get a stop.
"It ain't 'we.' Karl-Anthony Towns is actually doing a pretty good job when he's on Joker, it's you my man that's getting cooked."
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In the last three games, Gobert has averaged 11.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
Green's comments prompted a variety of responses from fans on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘I lost control of my emotions,’ admits Rudy Gobert as NBA star slapped with $75,000 fine by league for playoff gesture
"Bro came on TNT just to hate, I kind of respect it," one fan wrote.
"As if Draymond would stand a chance against Jokic... Jokic is similar to Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) in his prime when absolutely nobody could stop him," a second said.
"No Draymond! It's not about Gobert. It's all about nobody can guard the 3 time MVP. Jokic is inevitable," commented a third.
While another added, "Draymond is built for TV.. very eloquent."
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Later in the segment, Green went on to claim that the Timberwolves "don't believe anymore, adding that because of this the "series is over."
The Timberwolves will have a chance to prove Green wrong on Thursday in Game 6 at the Target Center.
Should Minnesota claw their way back into the, they'll battle it out for a spot in the Conference Finals in Game 7 on Sunday.
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NBA Western Conference playoffs
First Round
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) 4-0 New Orleans Pelicans (8)
Los Angeles Clippers (4) 2-4 Dallas Mavericks (5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) 4-0 Phoenix Suns (6)
Denver Nuggets (2) 4-1 Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Conference Semifinals
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) 2-4 Dallas Mavericks (5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) 3-3 Denver Nuggets (2)
Whoever wins the series will face either the Dallas Mavericks or the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are tied at 2-2.
As for the Eastern Conference, The New York Knicks lead the Indiana Pacers 3-2, while the Boston Celtics lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-1.
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