Rudy grew increasingly emotional speaking with the media about his All-Star snub. Said his mom called him crying. Said he wrote and deleted several messages on social media. Finally, he grew too emotional to speak, and walked off, wiping away tears. pic.twitter.com/UkFX2nUrt8
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) February 1, 2019
On Thursday, the 2019 NBA All Star reserves were announced. Many talented players were left off this year’s team, including Warriors forward Draymond Green and Pistons’ Tobias Harris. But of all of this year’s snubs, Jazz big-man Rudy Gobert seemd to take it the hardest.
In a Friday morning interview, when asked about his feelings on being left out of the All-Star Game, Gobert became increasingly emotional to the point where he had tears in his eyes and could not continue talking to the press.
Fellow All-Star snub Draymond didn’t seem to have much sympathy for the big man, and had this to say about Gobert’s interview on Twitter.
I guess I should cry too… no Charlotte? ???
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) February 1, 2019
Warriors star Andre Iguodala also chimed in.
He gone cry in the car?
— Danielson… (@andre) February 1, 2019
The rest of the league may be poking fun at the French big-man, but inside the Jazz building, the decision to leave Gobert off the ballot is no laughing matter. On Thursday Jazz coach Quin Snyder came out publicly on the Gobert snub.
“Rudy should absolutely be an All Star,” Snyder said. “He’s one of the most impactful players in the league. This is clear, not subjective, and it shows that the All-Star system is flawed. We talk about defense being valued, but when we have a chance to reward it, we reward scoring again and again.”
Gobert this season is averaging 15.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game (2nd in the West), so there is understandable reason to be upset about being left out of this year’s All-Star Game, but on the bright side, I think the Utah Jazz found their jersey sponsor for next season.
