Coach Finch’s Mid-Game Demand to Rudy Gobert Proves Shaq & TNT Crew’s Criticism of 4x DPOY Right

Rudy Gobert did have a tough time near the rim since the semi-final series. And it got worse in the Conference Finals against the Mavs. The Inside Guys crew have been behind the Frenchman and his struggles to guard Nikola Jokić. Especially, Shaq has been calling out the 4x DPOY for his lack of aggressiveness. And, tonight, Minnesota coach Chris Finch’s demand proved them all right. Allie LaForce, calling the game for TNT, picked the right moment from Game 5 and decoded Finch’s message to Gobert.

She said, “Coach Finch looked Rudy Gobert right in the face and said you have to be more aggressive on the pick and roll, push [Luka] out as far as you can, show some physicality, and get a hand up.” Gobert definitely had a dip. The 4x DPOY averaged 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks pg. in the regular season but came out cold, making very little impact in the postseason. In 14 games, he has averaged 12.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. He seemed all over the place, struggling to guard Jokić near the rim.

The Serbian center kept the 4x DPOY clueless throughout, turning him into a laughingstock. Shaq had a brutal opinion. He said, “I never thought he was a great defensive player… he’s not doing that s*** against [Nikola Jokic] because he has to be engaged… All of that weak side, blocking shots, that’s cool, but it’s not going to work against guys like me and Joker and Embiid.”

Adding to that, Draymond Green, who joined Shaq & Co. in the postseason, did say “Rudy sucks” on live TV.

Did Rudy Gobert possess the aggression?

He did show some signs of aggression at the start of the game after the message. During the 7th-minute mark in the first quarter, the big man got entangled with Derrick Jones Jr. and Dereck Lively II for a brief moment, in an attempt to set the mood for the rest of the game. But, the 7 ‘1 star couldn’t make much of an impact, as it was Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who hijacked the game with 72 points together.

The Wolves had no control over the Mavs throughout the game. The Dallas side maintained a massive lead and ended the first half with a 29-point lead. And they continued in the second half to produce a 124-103 blowout and confirm their berth in the Finals.

Importantly, Gobert didn’t find himself in the last quarter, as KAT was called upon to do the big man’s duties. And the Mavs found it easy to close the game out in a dominating fashion, giving a knockout punch to Wolves at their home with a 4-1 series win.

Now, the Boston Celtics would take on the Mavs at TD Garden for the 2024 Finals opener. The Wolves’ dominating run in the postseason came to a disappointing end, as they barely made any dent in the Mavs’ side. Nevertheless, Anthony Edwards sowed the seeds for a great future in the league.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow in what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.