Former Jazz C Rudy Gobert Gives Hilarious Response on His All-Star Snub
As we enter into the beginning of February, it marks the exciting time when the NBA's prestigious All-Star starters and reserves are announced, showcasing the best 24 guys the league has the offer for the season. However, with the honor being so exclusive for a substantial pool of over 500 players in the association, it's bound to see a few names inevitably snubbed in the selection process.
The Utah Jazz suffered their own snub, with Lauri Markkanen left without a spot on the 12-man roster for the Western Conference. He's been a focal point of the success this team has had across the entire season when healthy on both ends of the floor, averaging 23.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on impressive shooting splits.
It's a feeling Jazz fans know all too well. You don't have to look far back in the team's history to see the last player to suffer the same crushing fate. Three-time DPOY Rudy Gobert had his fair share of snubs during his time in Salt Lake City, and not much has changed in his second year with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite being a critical part of Minnesota's number-one defense and top seed in the Western Conference, it still wasn't enough to earn his spot as an All-Star. Still, recent quotes from the big man tend to show he's not too upset with the results uncovered this Thursday.
According to a tweet from Timberwolves insider Dane Moore, Gobert brushed off the snub, noting that it's nothing that he hasn't seen before throughout his career:
"When it comes to me, I didn't even put that much expectation in it. Not the first time I've been taken for granted, disrespected about these things. I've been in this league for a long time, I know how it works. I mean, I'm happy -- at the end of the day, I get to get some vacation. The best defender in the world, the No. 1 team in the West and the No. 1 defense in the league, and we get to enjoy the beach during the All Star weekend. Might be a blessing, actually."
Gobert was an All-Star in Utah from 2020-2022 when the Jazz were routinely a top-ranked defense and perennial playoff contender, but it was easier said than done for him to finally get that respect. We saw a similar situation happen in 2019 when Rudy got snubbed during the best season of his career, eventually leading to his then-viral emotionally charged press conference.
This time, Rudy seems to be in better spirits. When asked by his All-Star teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, Gobert instead welcomed the time off he'll be getting across his extended break, telling him it's something he can mention in his Hall of Fame speech:
"You don't have to feel bad... At my Hall of Fame speech, I'll be able to joke about how many times I got to enjoy some extra vacation because I got snubbed for the All Star game."
Instead, the Timberwolves will be represented by Towns and Anthony Edwards in Indianapolis for the All-Star game while Gobert gets a chance for some added time off in the middle of a strenuous season. Things could be much worse for the 31-year-old.
While there unfortunately won't be any Jazzmen (or any Rudy Gobert) suiting up for the contest, the All-Star Game will be held on February 18th in Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 5 PM MT, where the best in the world get to go at it in a classic East-West duel.
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