NBA legend Tracy McGrady took a major shot at Minnesota Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert for his lack of moves on offense.
Gobert, who is arguably the best defensive center in the NBA, doesn’t have the most refined offensive game. However, he has averaged 12.4 points on just 7.0 shots per game in his NBA career.
“This is what I’ve been wondering, what the f— are you doing in the offseason?” McGrady said of Gobert. “Like, what is your workout?
“I was so mad at Rudy when they were playing against the [Houston] Rockets one year bro, and Chris Paul was guarding him in the post. I was mad as s—. He couldn’t do nothing. Bro, you’re 7’2″, and a point guard is guarding you. He had no moves.”
McGrady didn’t hold back in his criticism of Gobert, but the Timberwolves big man has improved as an offensive player since his first few seasons in the NBA.
In the 2021-22 campaign, Gobert averaged 15.6 points, 14.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting a career-best 71.3 percent from the field. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has averaged at least 14.3 points per game in each of the last four seasons.
While he could become a better offensive player, Gobert won’t need to be one for the Timberwolves to be successful in the 2022-23 season.
With strong offensive players such as D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns on the roster, the Wolves are relying on Gobert to anchor their defense and play off of their stars on the other end.
A three-time All-Star, Gobert has been dominant defensively in his career, averaging 2.2 blocks per game and leading the league in defensive win shares twice.
McGrady may want the big man to improve his offensive game, but as long as Gobert’s defense stays elite, he will always have a place in the NBA.
