After the decapitation of King James in the first round, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets have put doubt in the minds of NBA fans and analysts alike as to who the rightful heir to the NBA is in this era. As of now, congratulations should be in order, as Nikola Jokic stands the likeliest to take home this year’s MVP award, as he emerges as the frontrunner for the third straight time in the last four years. While the Nuggets make preparations for the crowning, the Timberwolves will look to trash the momentous occasion as they face off against the defending champs in the second round of this year’s NBA playoffs.
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As the Timberwolves look to avenge last year’s defeat, former NBA player Kenyon Martin doesn’t see how the ‘hopeful’ Timberwolves can pull off such a feat. The reasoning behind Martin’s claim is simple: Rudy Gobert can’t guard Jokic. Appearing on the popular hoop Podcast, Gils Arena, the Denver legend went in on the upcoming matchup between Gobert and Jokic.
“He [Nikola Jokic] got another baby this series; he was about to burp that baby too. Another 7’2, 7’3 baby… He murders Rudy Gobert on the ball.”
How will Rudy Gobert and KAT guard Jokic? pic.twitter.com/a5XrFumVXY
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) May 1, 2024
The former All-Star Power Forward does have validity to his somewhat exaggerated take. In the four regular-season matchups between the two teams this year, Jokic absolutely decimated Gobert and Towns, as he averaged 33.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game on 58.4 percent shooting from the field and 40.0 percent from 3 [according to Statmuse]. It’s also important to note that KAT sat during three of the four regular-season contests, leaving Gobert as the Joker’s main victim all season long.
It’s clear from the numbers that Gobert shouldn’t be the primary defender on Jokic, and even Gilbert Arenas seems to agree. The 42-year-old instead suggested that Towns guard Jokic for the upcoming matchup, with Gobert acting as the help-side defender. While ‘Agent Zero’ might have a point, it’s hard to imagine that the 7’1 Frenchman accepts Gilbert’s conditions, as the league’s potential Defensive Player of the Year is definitely looking to avenge his regular season humiliation.
The time Nikola Jokic humbled the prideful Frenchman
Looking at the upcoming matchup between Rudy Gobert and Nikola Jokic, some NBA Pundits are claiming a different outcome is fated this time around. A big argument in Gobert’s favor is the fact that he seems to be far more mobile than he has ever been, being able to put up a lot more of a fight when switching to a perimeter player.
That said, while the arguments in favor of Rudy are undoubtedly true, the history books don’t favor the Frenchman, regardless of his form. Even Jokic’s teammate Jamal Murray seems to agree with the stats, as the Denver guard even recounted a hilarious encounter between the 2021 DPOY and the same year’s MVP, Nikola Jokic, while sitting down with ESPN.
” Joker’s got 47 right at this point, right against Gobert. He catches the ball on the block and they’re trying to send like half help; trust in the double team, right? And Gobert goes, ‘No, I got him, I got him.’ Jokic has the ball and he goes, ‘Brother I have 47.’ I was like, ‘Oh, you’re a savage brother.’”
Shaquille O’Neal shares iconic 2021 moment between Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert pic.twitter.com/V45dACZtuk
— What are NBA Celebs Upto? (@NBACelebsUpdate) April 15, 2023
Hopefully, this time around the Stifle Tower can pose a real defensive threat to Jokic. After all, the outcome of this contest could very well decide this year’s Championship as the two best teams from the West face off in what has a chance to become this year’s most-watched playoff series.
![Klay Thompson will end his time with the Golden State Warriors which brought him a shower of NBA titles and All-Star appearances to join the Dallas Mavericks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Klay signing with another team besides the Dubs has raised questions as to why the veteran sharpshooter would leave his forever home and try winning somewhere else, given that Curry and Draymond still have a championship run left in the tank. Well, it appears to be a matter of respect for Klay and not money, as the former Warriors player accepted a financially inferior contract to play three years with the Mavericks. Appearing on Gil's Arena, Kenyon Martin pointed out how the Warriors paying Green his $100 million contract, and lowballing Klay only a season later is downright disrespectful, highlighting it as the cause of Thompson's departure from GSW. The 46-year-old further pointed to the fact that Klay has had a better stat line, greater impact on winning, and played more consistently than Green through the years, and still got offered a worse contract, something that definitely rubbed Klay the wrong way. Talking about his opinion further, Martin said, "You paid Draymond [Green]...I'm a bucket, I've averaged more points than him, we don't do none of this without me...And this is the thanks I get? It's a slap in the face." But Martin's interpretation of loyalty and respect seems to conflict with NFL veteran, Shannon Sharpe's interpretation of the whole situation. The former NFL tight end believes that Klay got what he deserved, and the Warriors didn't low-ball him. The 56-year-old further added that in a contract year, players are expected to show out and prove their worth. But Thompson did the opposite, as the 34-year-old posted the second-worst statistical season of his career. Airing out his opinion further, Sharpe said, "If you go back and look at it, Jordan Poole had a career year when his contract was up, they paid him. Draymond played well, they paid him. Stephen A. said last week, This is statistically Klay’s worst year.’ It happened to be in a contract year. They didn’t wrong him.” Unlike his NBA counterpart, Sharpe seems to think that Klay got paid for his legacy when the Warriors paid him $190 million over 5-years back in 2019. It's important to note that Thompson signed that contract just weeks after blowing out his ACL, and still was offered the second-largest contract in franchise history. Another NBA veteran, Richard Jefferson, also seems to be siding with his league mate, calling out the Dubs front office for their disrespect of Klay. Richard Jefferson reveals how Thompson has been demanding a better contract since X'Mas last year After the news of Thompson's signing to the Mavericks finally went official, Richard Jefferson appeared on ESPN's daily show, 'NBA Today' to call out the Warriors for fumbling the bag, and not paying Thompson his due respect and money. During his rant, the former Warriors forward highlighted an incident between him and Thompson to further point out how the contract issues between Thompson and the Warriors had been lingering for over a year. Recalling the incident, Thompson said, " This was on Christmas Day. I get off the elevator, and I see Klay, and I'm like, 'Klay, what's up?' I'm like, 'Hey man, keep your mentals right.' He's like, 'Man, tell them to pay me my money...This was on Christmas Day. On Christmas Day, a guy that had won four Championships. I don't give a damn what anybody says how much money they gave him over the years because he turned their franchise around." As far as perfect situations go, the whole Klay-Warriors scenario is less than ideal. Not only do the Dubs lose out on a bona fide franchise legend and one of the best shooters to ever play the game, but Klay also needs to adjust to life in a new team, a new city, and with new teammates and coaching scenarios. He will, of course, hope that all works out well, but if it doesn't we may see a Klay that regrets his decision to leave the Warriors.](https://cdn-wp.thesportsrush.com/2024/07/e368aa5e-untitled-design-2024-07-03t092652.398.jpg?format=auto&w=384&q=75)
