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DPOY Finalist Rudy Gobert’s Playoffs Absence Might Take the Heat Off Minnesota, as Per Udonis Haslem

Published 04/24/2024, 8:55 AM EDT

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Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem has bold advice for the Minnesota Timberwolves. 4x DPOY candidate Rudy Gobert was recently dragged into the conversation in Haslem’s The OGs Podcast with Mike Miller. Both expressed their opinion on the Timberwolves’ performance and most importantly Gobert’s role in it. Haslem suggested that Gobert’s absence in the playoffs wouldn’t affect the team at all. Furthermore, he even suggested that the Timberwolves should limit Gobert’s playing time to ensure success. “I’m not saying you can take him out of the lineup but he’s only going to play limited minutes,” Haslem said. On the other hand, Miller chimed in with his opinion that it would be quite shocking to not have the DPOY candidate play in the playoffs. While it is understandable with the role players, it certainly doesn’t fit right with French Man. 

During the conversation, Haslem remarked, “Trust me I’m going be honest if they lose the series ain’t nobody gonna be saying cuz Rudy ain’t playing.”

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He further explained that while he has no personal hate for the player, it’s more about how effective a player can be. “This is not saying that I don’t like what Rudy Gobert does I understand what he is and what he does what he is he is elite at it but the reality is the way the game has changed.” This is not the first time. Previously, in the same podcast, Haslem had another suggestion for the Timberwolves’ star. 

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Minnesota Timberwolves dominate Phoenix Suns with a 2-0 series lead

The Miami Heat Champion once explained that Gobert is a phenomenal player and is one of the reasons behind the Minnesota Timberwolves‘s massive success. But he might be a problem too. He said, “Rudy Gobert can be Defensive Player of the Year in the f****g regular season and be a defensive liability in the playoffs.”

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What is your take on Haslem’s opinion? Do you think he is right? The team has successfully held a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. Jaden McDaniels stunned the fans as he scored 25 points to lead the team get a 105-93 win in game 2 against the Suns. 

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Mike Conley dished out 18 points. About the team’s defense performance, Gobert shared, “We can see it. I can feel it. I can see them. It’s tough. No one likes going against the type of defense that we’re playing right now.”  On the other hand, we have Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. While Durant put up 20 points, the latter scored 18 points, certainly not enough to defeat the Timberwolves. However, it is not the time yet to judge the situation. The Suns trio still have a chance but would have to level to win.

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Written by:

Pritha Debroy

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Pritha is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. After reporting on the luxurious lifestyle of celebrities for a year, she used that experience to cover the glamor side of the basketball world. She has expertly covered Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan's complicated love story and the lavish vacations of NBA superstars, among other off-court scoops.
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Edited by:

Caroline Joseph