Dumbfounded Gilbert Arenas Mocks Rudy Gobert for Choosing Birth of Child Over Playoff Game

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Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves absolutely dismembered the Denver Nuggets 106-90 on Monday night, in a night so frustrating for the defending champs that Jamal Murray was trying to purposely hurt guys with heat packs in the 4th quarter. It was arguably one of the most dominating defensive performances in playoff history.

And they did it all without future 2023-24 defensive player of the year, Rudy Gobert, who flew back to the Twin Cities for the birth of his first child earlier in the day. After he became a father, Rudy reportedly tried flying back to Denver, but strong winds stopped that flight from taking place.

As mentioned, though, it didn’t matter. The Gobert-less Wolves came with such intensity in game 2 that they didn’t even need the future DPOY (again) to suffocate the Nuggets offense. Prior to the game, though, a win in Denver without Gobert felt next to impossible.

Gilbert Arenas mocks Rudy Gobert for choosing birth of kid over game 2

Most of us Timberwolves fans, especially all the good dads out there, understood and appreciated Rudy’s decision to choose fatherhood over all else, even if we knew it likely meant a loss for our favorite team.

One person who didn’t see it that way, however, is former 12-year NBA veteran, Gilbert Arenas, who now hosts a rather popular podcast called ‘Gil’s Arena’. On his show yesterday, Arenas openly LOL’d at Gobert, saying “The baby still gonna be there when you get back”. Then, he doubled down posting that 45 second clip on Twitter.

“It’s a baby, bro. It gonna be there when you get back. I’m just saying… Whatever you think you’re about to do with that baby, it’s gonna be asleep. I get that you wanna be with your wife and smiling and stuff. You’re good NBA health insurance is because you’re playing.”

Gilbert Arenas on Rudy Gobert missing a playoff game for birth of his first child (Gil’s Arena Podcast)

I mean, I can’t say I’m shocked to hear Gilbert Arenas say something like this. We’re talking about the same guy who was suspended by the NBA for bringing guns into a locker room.

And he has his right to any opinion he wants. I’m sure there are plenty of people and dads out there who agree with him. Personally, I’m not one of them. I’ve been there for the birth of both my kids and there’s nothing that would stop me from missing my third, if that were to ever happen.

Related: Nikola Jokic Already Sounds Exhausted by Timberwolves’ Defense, Depth

But this is America, where freedom of opinions (even bad ones) reign. And that’s a good thing. But the fact that Rudy Gobert chose fatherhood and trusted his teammates to get the job done without them — and then they delivered — is why I love this Minnesota Timberwolves team.

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