{"id":79176,"date":"2024-08-27T07:30:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T11:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=79176"},"modified":"2024-08-27T06:34:17","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T10:34:17","slug":"why-was-luka-doncic-targeting-rudy-gobert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/27\/why-was-luka-doncic-targeting-rudy-gobert\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Was Luka Doncic Targeting Rudy Gobert?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luka Doncic<\/a>\u2019s rivalry with Rudy Gobert<\/a> reached a new level during the 2024 NBA Playoffs when the Mavericks faced the Timberwolves. The roots of this conflict extend far beyond the hardwood of the NBA. Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s systematic targeting of Gobert, particularly in pick-and-roll situations, was not only a basketball strategy. It was also a response to their past encounters on the international stage and the broader perception of Gobert within the NBA community.<\/p>\n

Why Was Luka Doncic Targeting Rudy Gobert?<\/h2>\n

Some Luka Don\u010di\u0107-Rudy Gobert Lore<\/h3>\n

The genesis of this rivalry can be traced back to the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s Slovenia faced Gobert\u2019s France in a highly anticipated semifinal. Slovenia, led by Don\u010di\u0107, was on a miraculous run. Their dream of reaching the gold medal game was shattered by a resilient French team. Gobert played a significant role in this victory. He anchored France\u2019s defense and helped to secure the win that knocked Slovenia out of contention for gold. This defeat was a bitter pill for Don\u010di\u0107. He had been virtually unstoppable in international play up until that point. France\u2019s triumph, particularly with Gobert as the defensive centerpiece, left a lasting impression on Don\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to the 2023-24 NBA season, where Doncic and Gobert found themselves on opposite sides in the Western Conference Finals. With memories of the Olympic defeat still fresh even three years later, Don\u010di\u0107 went on the offensive, deliberately targeting Gobert in pick-and-roll plays. This strategy was not only a tactical move to exploit Gobert\u2019s slower lateral movement but also a personal vendetta.<\/p>\n

Don\u010di\u0107 knew that by forcing Gobert into uncomfortable defensive positions, he could neutralize one of the league\u2019s premier shot-blockers and swing the momentum in his team\u2019s favor. Don\u010di\u0107 capped off Dallas’ 18-point comeback in Game 2 of their series with a stepback three with three seconds remaining. This moment symbolized his mastery over his rival and perhaps served as a form of retribution for the Olympic loss. The broadcast footage shows Don\u010di\u0107 trailing behind Gobert and appearing to yell,<\/p>\n

“motherf–ker, you can’t f–king guard me!”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That game-winner was not Luka Doncic’s first against Rudy Gobert. In fact, he scored<\/a> one \u00a0when Slovenia and France met in 2022. At the Eurobasket 2022, Slovenia outlasted France off Luka’s 47.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/Coopz___\/status\/1794217111310528957?t=DcQLCo8vcWomsYfeKzDegg&s=19<\/p>\n

Some Rudy Hate<\/h3>\n
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Rudy Gobert to ESPN on Luka Doncic\u2019s trash talk after the game-winner: \u201cI didn\u2019t see or hear it, but he says that every game. So nothing new.\u201d https:\/\/t.co\/qVchLJ9eIR<\/a><\/p>\n

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 25, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n