Charles Barkley on why everybody hates Rudy Gobert - "We don't respect defensive players, we never show defense"
charles-barkley-and-rudy-gobert
Charles Barkley has always been outspoken, leading to many tirades about players on his Inside The NBA show on TNT. However, he feels that the rest of the media world does not show appreciation for elite defenders in basketball.
A good example is the lack of appreciation for an elite defender like Rudy Gobert. The Frenchman is bound to get his record-tying fourth Defensive Player of the Year award soon. Still, he does not get the same appreciation as a player with flashy offensive highlights.
“We don’t respect defensive players. I love ESPN, we don’t show blocked shots unless it’s Anthony Edwards or a LeBron showdown. We never show defense,” Barkley told Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay. “We show guys making shots and dunking, ESPN is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but in a two-hour game, they show a minute of highlights; it does not show Rudy Gobert stopping shots or blocking shots.”
Difference in coverage between the NFL and NBA
Chuck also discussed how the NFL and NBA have historically received contrasting media coverage. He mentioned the NFL highlighting specific defensively inclined players, showcasing a different side of the sport.
That is not the case for the NBA because most of the highlights are always offensive players breaking a defender’s ankles with a crossover or a massive poster dunk. It is exciting, but that has been the set culture for years, which leaves some phenomenal players who do not play with flair out of the spotlight.
The NFL has always focused on analyzing all these defensive systems to ensure people appreciate what is going on at that end of the field. However, the NFL’s coverage has taken a bit of a turn lately. Defenders feel the same lack of media coverage, as Chuck and Shannon Sharpe agreed that the broadcasts are focusing too much on the catches.
“We very seldom talk about defensive players because the defense isn’t pretty,” Barkley continued.
Gobert deserves his flowers
Rudy is a fantastic example of a player who deserves praise because he is one of the best defenders ever. He is an elite rim protector who swallows up all the space in the paint and intimidates anyone from ever going into the paint. Whenever they drive to the paint, he could block every shot or at least bother the players with his length.
He proved that in Utah, but the only plaudits he received were from the Jazz fans and the voters for the DPOY award. Frenchmen deserve all those awards for how he could change a team with his phenomenal defense. The criticism he gets has made him feel like the odd man out despite being a superb player.
He has made the Timberwolves into a championship contender because everyone else could worry about defending the perimeter, and he can take care of the paint.
With the Timberwolves having Gobert, they can pride themselves on the defense. Having perimeter stoppers like Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are big-time positives because they can defend everyone, knowing Gobert could help them when needed.
Expect the Timberwolves to be a tough test for any team against them. With the defending champions Denver Nuggets set to face them in the Western Conference semi-finals, Gobert and Minnesota must defend Nikola Jokic and his squad at the highest level. If he can defend Joker at a high level through the series, maybe Rudy will get more respect from fans and media pundits.