Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has accused the NBA of playing favorites with other teams through what he sees as suspect officiating throughout the season.
“It’s bullshit. Bullshit. It’s not fair. It’s really not fair,” Gobert told Star Tribune writer Chris Hine in a post-game interview following Minnesota’s 107-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns. “Every night. 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. It’s hard for me to think they didn’t try to help the Warriors win the other night or the Sacramento Kings the other night. It’s just so obvious. As a basketball player that’s been in this league for so long, it’s disrespectful and it sucks, to be honest.”
During the game on Wednesday, the Suns earned 27 free-throw attempts while the Timberwolves got 12. Gobert, who was called for two illegal screens in the final moments of the game, has made it clear how he feels about the officiating when it comes to the Timberwolves.
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:
“We work so hard to be in a position to compete with the best and we just get manipulated into those situations where it just impacts the game for the other team too much,” he continued. “We understand that it’s also a business. Unfortunately, it’s sad, but it’s good also. … We understand that we’re not the biggest of the markets and we’re a team that—I think you want to see KD in the playoffs, Steph in the playoffs, you want to see LeBron in the playoffs. Timberwolves are not there yet. We got to keep putting our heads down, keep playing through that and it's frustrating for sure, especially for me."
Following the game on Wednesday, Minnesota coach Chris Finch defended Gobert. “They weren’t illegal screens,” he said. “They were physical plays. Durant leads with his elbow into Rudy’s face, which is something that happens all around the league. They tag Rudy for it.”
