“Damn Ragdoll”: Charles Barkley and More Urge Minnesota to Bench Rudy Gobert as Nikola Jokic Obliterates 4x DPOY

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in big trouble at the Ball Arena in Denver, as the Nuggets have found the weak link of their opponents today. Wolves put the league on notice with a 45-point win against Nikola Jokic and Co. in game 6. However, the tables have turned today, and the scapegoat this time was Rudy Gobert, who is facing backlash from all over the internet. Anyhow, the first one to start the criticism was Philadelphia 76ers legend Charles Barkley.

The Denver Nuggets took a promising 53-38 lead at halftime after Jamal Murray and Jokic led the team on the offensive end. Gobert, who guarded Jokic most of the first half, allowed the Serbian center to score 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. Looking at this underwhelming defense, Barkley went on to call out the 4x DPOY.

Barkley shared on TNT, “They gotta take Gobert out of the game. Joker just throwing him around like a damn ragdoll…They are not worried about Gobert on the offensive end.” Barkley was not the only who had a problem with Gobert. 

Boston Celtics icon Kendrick Perkins tweeted mid-game, “Man get Rudy out the damn game“, as the Wolves collapsed in the first half. Gobert was not just a problem on the defensive end, but also on offense. 

Former Phoenix Suns Eddie Johnson wrote on X, “He[Gobert] has a mouse on him and he got them to the bonus with 8 minutes left. Stop!”. The “mouse” that Johnson is referring to is Jamal Murray. The Nuggets went on to make a bold move and let Murray guard the Gobert, as he did not get any touches in the offense. This caught the attention of the above NBA veterans, who have ultimately put the full blame on Gobert for the Wolves’ downfall in the first half.  Although the 4x DPOY might have disappeared, a few stars from the Wolves filled in for his absence. 

Who filled in for Rudy Gobert from the Wolves?

Anthony Edwards was having an off night too in the first half. He had just 4 points, which was also a reason for the Wolves’ poor start. Anyhow, Karl-Anthony Towns chimed in at the right time today. He has been the X-factor for the Wolves all series. Barkley also highlighted this before the game. 

The Sixers legend said, “If the Timberwolves are going to win, that guy right there [KAT] is the most important player“. At the same time Sixth Man of the Year, Naz Reid is also the game changer. Apart from Gobert, he and KAT have been the primary defenders who have guarded Jokic in this series. He is also a threat from the three-point line, which makes a case for the Wolves.