Chauncey Billups Details Rudy Gobert’s Limitations on Defense Despite DPOY: “Until You Get Deeper…”
Rudy Gobert’s Olympic dream did not turn out as he expected to be. Not just because of the final loss in front of the home fans, but his overall contribution to the national team. Gobert played only 9 minutes and managed 0 points and 2 rebounds combined in the SF and QF. Thus, the claims of him being a liability on the team continued from the last postseason. Chauncey Billups, as a coach, faced Gobert and highlighted the key difference between the Frenchman and other great defenders.
Bonzi Wells asked Chauncey Billups about the talks of Gobert being a liability on the team, despite being a DPOY. “I struggle with it too, Bonzi,” said the current Portland Trail Blazers coach. The 47-year-old spoke about his first coaching experience against the center. Billups was an assistant coach with the Clippers and Gobert was with the Jazz.
“Regular season I can understand why he be defensive player of the year. Get deeper in them playoffs get tricky.” Chauncey Billups credited Gobert to be a great defender, but not an elite one. Speaking on the Sheed and Tyler show, the former Clippers assistant highlighted that the Center was not as versatile. Also suggested that Gobert struggles with spacing on the team in certain situations.
Jun 8, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the hoop against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the fourth quarter during game one in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters
In the Utah Jazz vs the Clippers game in the playoff, he averaged 12.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. The 2021 semifinal loss also saw a dip as his regular season numbers were 14.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. Similarly, in the last regular season with the Wolves, Gobert averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. In the playoffs, there was a decline in his numbers 12.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks.
Chauncey Billups is not the first veteran to call out Gobert
In the final loss against Team USA, Gobert was out of the starting lineup again, but his minutes improved from single-digit (12). His contribution, however, did not improve much with 2 points and 3 rebounds. Even Shaquille O’Neal trolled him for his awkward position on the court against Joel Embiid.
During a play, Rudy Gobert attempted to bait a foul call, where it seemed like the French big man intentionally wrapped his hands around Team USA’s Center’s knees while sitting on the court. With the underwhelming numbers for the national team, Gilbert Arenas called out Gobert as a “liability.”
“He is a liability. We’ve been watching it over and over, right? Utah- ‘He can’t play defense. We can’t use him defensively; take him out.'” Agent Zero couldn’t understand how the best defensive player gets benched game after game. France’s Head Coach stated that the team wanted to start with the defensive five, so Gobert was benched.
“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”
The post Chauncey Billups Details Rudy Gobert’s Limitations on Defense Despite DPOY: “Until You Get Deeper…” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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