Analysis: Rudy Gobert’s final shot added salt to the wound after the Timberwolves beat the Jazz
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Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson (00) goes for a layup while being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert (27) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
Sarah Todd covers the NBA and Utah Jazz for the Deseret News.
Emotions were high on the night of Rudy Gobert’s return to Utah.
The fans at Vivint Arena gave Gobert a warm welcome with a huge applause when the center, who played nine seasons for the Utah Jazz, was announced as a starter for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
When the Jazz played a tribute video for Gobert during the first timeout of the game, the fans showered him with even more applause and love. He said it was difficult to stay focused on the game and also deal with all the emotions of the moment.
Slowly though, the fans began to turn on the former Jazzman. While they cheered for his first few baskets, they began to boo him after what they viewed as flops for foul calls or cheap shots.
“Tonight was great, but a little awkward coming to the arena and going to the visitor’s bench, visitors locker room,” Gobert said. “Then the fans started booing me a little when I was at the free throw line, which I respect, but it was great.”
The Jazz, playing without Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Simone Fontecchio and with Mike Conley on a minutes restriction in his first game back after nine straight on the sideline, battled as much as they could.
It was the Timberwolves though, who would walk away with the victory, but not before some light extracurricular activities.
After the Jazz had been outworked by the end of the night and the final seconds of the clock were ticking away with the Timberwolves clearly ready to walk out with a win, Gobert notched a couple extra points.
The Jazz pressed the Wolves as they inbounded the ball with 12 seconds left despite the fact that Minnesota already had an 116-108 lead. When the ball made its way up the court and into the hands of Gobert underneath an unguarded basket, he popped it in with 2.4 left to play, pushing the final score to 118-108.
Malik Beasley, who came to the Jazz in the trade that sent Gobert to Minnesota, did not take kindly to Gobert’s salt-in-the-wound bucket, and after the final buzzer and he went nose-to-nose (or…nose-to-chest, seeing as Beasley isn’t 7-feet tall) with Gobert to share his displeasure.
Jarred Vanderbilt, also a part of that trade from Minnesota, joined in on the miniature kerfuffle, and eventually pushed Gobert lightly. Then it was broken up and everyone went their separate ways.
“It was just disrespectful,” Beasley said. “Unwritten rules of basketball, and I told him that.”
Gobert had a different view on the situation and the confrontation that ensued.
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Kyle Anderson (5) and Utah Jazz's Kelly Olynyk (41) go for a rebound while playing in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' D'Angelo Russell (0) gets a rebound while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) gets a rebound while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) carries the ball while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Jarred Vanderbilt (8) goes for a rebound while playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Attendees stands as a video honoring once Utah Jazz player and now Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) is played on the Jumbotron in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Players from the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves jump for a rebound in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy looks up while his team plays the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy speaks with an official while his team plays the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Players from the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves jump for a rebound in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Kelly Olynyk (41) is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves' Kyle Anderson (5) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch walks the sideline to follow the play while his team plays the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Jordan Clarkson (00) jumps to take a shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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A Utah Jazz fan wears Rudy Gobert’s old jersey while he plays the Jazz as a Minnesota Timberwolf in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Malik Beasley (5) carries the ball while playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) takes a free throw while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) closes his eyes while listening to the national anthem before playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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The Utah Jazz listen to the national anthem before playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) closes his eyes before playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Kelly Olynyk (41) drives to the net while being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves' Jaden McDaniels (3) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Kyle Anderson (5) jumps for the ball while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) jumps for the ball while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Malik Beasley (5) drives to the net while being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves' D'Angelo Russell (0) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) jumps for the ball while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) covers his face during the national anthem before playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) goes for a layup while being defended by Utah Jazz's Kelly Olynyk (41) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Kelly Olynyk (41) dives for the ball while playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Jordan Clarkson (00) goes for a layup while being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Kelly Olynyk (41) gestures and speaks to an official after he feels he was fouled in a previous play by the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz fans get autographs from Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) after a game in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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A Utah Jazz fan dances while their team plays the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) fouls Utah Jazz's Jordan Clarkson (00) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' D'Angelo Russell (0) saves a ball from going out of bounds while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Rudy Gay (22) saves a ball from going out of bounds while being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert (27) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz fans cheer while their team plays the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz's Jordan Clarkson (00) drives to the net while being defended by Minnesota Timberwolves' Austin Rivers (25) in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Minnesota Timberwolves' D'Angelo Russell (0) carries the ball while playing the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
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Utah Jazz fans stand and cheer after a 3-pointer was scored against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. The Timberwolves won 118-108. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
“I’ve been taught to play basketball until the last second,” he said. “For me, there was never any intent to disrespect anybody.
“These guys that step in front of me, they aren’t gonna do anything anyway and I didn’t get to shake hands with my guys so it kind of killed my moment a little bit, but it is what it is. Some guys just want attention.”
Jazz head coach Will Hardy looked pretty annoyed at the final play but clearly wasn’t going to go on record saying anything of note on the situation. Instead he was congratulatory, with maybe a hint of sarcasm.
“It was a nice layup,” Hardy said. “He now has 22 points. Played a great game. That’s the extent of my thoughts on that play.”
And now for my thoughts.
First, let’s take a quick look at Gobert’s final shot on Friday, immediately followed by Vanderbilt’s final shot against the Timberwolves when the two teams met in Minnesota on Oct. 21.
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If we’re talking about the unwritten rules of basketball, it seems like dunking at the end of a game that you’ve already won and screaming is probably just as bad, if not worse, than the quiet layup that Gobert put up.
I understand not wanting to feel like you are being disrespected, and feeling like it’s just adding insult to injury, but it probably wouldn’t feel like that if the Jazz had done a better job guarding D’Angelo Russel and not letting him score 20 points in the fourth quarter alone.
I wonder if Beasley was mad at Vanderbilt when he punctuated the Jazz’s win in Minneapolis in October. I actually don’t wonder. I’m pretty sure we all know the answer, and if you don’t want the opposing team to play offense, you shouldn’t play full-court defense.
It was Gobert’s night from the moment he stepped into the building on Friday, and Beasley didn’t change that. He just added some unnecessary stuff at the end.
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