Rudy Gobert accused the NBA of fixing games against Timberwolves (and for Kings?) in perplexing rant
If the NBA was in the business of such unscrupulous behavior as fixing games through officiating, one team we can be absolutely sure isn’t benefitting from it is the Sacramento Kings.
Up until clinching a spot in the NBA postseason Wednesday with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento owned the league’s longest playoff drought of 16 years.
However, that’s not enough to convince Rudy Gobert the league didn’t want Sacramento to at least beat his Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Same goes for the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns, who snapped Minnesota’s four-game winning streak Wednesday and prompted a full-blown rant on officiating from Gobert.
Warning: Explicit language in the below transcript
Here's Rudy Gobert commenting on the officiating not just tonight but overall as it pertains to the Timberwolves. Referred to it as "disrespectful," among other things. Full quote for context: https://t.co/RUeHs4JePL pic.twitter.com/CSHT6pPH1w
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) March 30, 2023
“I’ve been in this league for 10 years and I try to always give the benefit of the doubt, but it’s hard for me to think they’re not trying to help them win tonight,” Gobert said. “It’s hard for me to think they didn’t try to help the Warriors win the other night or Sacramento Kings the other night. It’s just so obvious.”
Gobert went on to say it’s because Minnesota isn’t a big market, and people want to see players like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and LeBron James in the playoffs.
He seems to be implying that the Timberwolves, who are seventh in the Western Conference and made the playoffs last year, are winning in spite of what the league wants. Minnesota won two of the three games he mentioned despite being an underdog in all three.
One thing we can be sure of is his comments won’t be received well by the league office — especially with sports betting an evergrowing presence across sports and the talk of match-fixing sure to grab headlines. Mr. Gobert can expect a considerable fine in the very near future.