Rudy Gobert just can’t catch a break. Whether it’s beefing with teammates, getting called out for his pandemic-era mic grab, or just being the NBA’s favorite punching bag, the Timberwolves’ big man always finds himself at the center of the joke. And this time, it was Matt Barnes over at All The Smoke who let him have it after the Pistons-Timberwolves scuffle.

If you missed it, Minnesota and Detroit got into it recently, with things getting chippy enough to warrant some hands being thrown. The altercation led to seven ejections. Now, let’s be fair: Gobert’s job isn’t to throw punches. He’s a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, not an enforcer. But, when the clips of the scuffle emerged, the All The Smoke Crew indeed supplied All The Smoke.

In the recent episode of All The Smoke Podcast, which is available on YouTube, Matt Barnes was seen having a spirited conversation with Isaiah ‘J.R.’ Rider and Keyon Dooling. During the conversation, while discussing the previous altercations that J.R. was a part of, the conversation shifted to the Pistons-Timberwolves bust-up. J.R. then said, “I was laughing at uh, Rudy long ass arm reached from out of nowhere, trying to grab somebody from behind the neck right there but it was on man.” commenting on what transpired in the game.  Matt Barnes then added, “He still got PTSD from Draymond still, yeah.”  Referring to the time Draymond Green held Rudy Gobert in a headlock.

The Pistons-Timberwolves skirmish had some repercussions, which were worthy, seeing the intensity of the fight. The fight was significant, featuring 12 technical fouls, the highest in 20 years. Consequently, the game had multiple ejections, including players and coaches. After this, the NBA deliberated on a few suspensions. Let us check out what the actual repercussions were.

What happened after the Pistons-Timberwolves bust-up

After the dust had settled, five players and two coaches were ejected from the game. The head coach of Detroit, J.B. Bickerstaff, is one of the five. Followed by center Isaiah Stewart, forward Ron Holland II, and guard Marcus Sasser from the Pistons. The Timberwolves team suffered the ejection of forward Naz Reid and guard Donte DiVincenzo, along with assistant coach Pablo Prigioni. 

J.B. Bickerstaff commented on the situation, saying, “Obviously things went too far.” Bickerstaff then said, “But what you see is guys looking out for one another, guys trying to protect one another, guys trying to have each other’s backs… Those are non-negotiables in our locker room,” reaffirming the camaraderie that exists amongst the Pistons team. 

The suspensions? The NBA suspended five players with a surprisingly mild response. Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart received the largest penalty, a two-game suspension. His teammates, Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser, were suspended for one game each, while Timberwolves’ Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo also received one-game suspensions. Coaches from both teams were ejected, but none faced suspensions.

The NBA’s light penalties may prompt discussions about how player conduct during games is managed, especially with ongoing tensions in close playoff races. Additionally, teams will likely reflect on security measures during games to prevent similar incidents. However, the bottom line is that the NBA’s leniency in suspending players raises questions about the league’s stance on violence in games, especially given the brawl’s proximity to fans. It highlights the need for a balance between unity among players and accountability for actions on the court.