On Tuesday, in France’s shocking win over Team Canada in the Olympics, center Rudy Gobert was removed from Team France‘s starting lineup. One of Rudy’s biggest critics, four-time champion Draymond Green, was quick to mention that Gobert’s ineffectiveness did not determine the outcome of the game. After the game, France’s head coach, Vincent Collet, mentioned that Gobert was dealing with a finger injury.
Ironically, Green, a player not on Team USA, found it surprising that an NBA player like Gobert was not starting in the Olympics, given the NBA is considered the best basketball league in the world.
“France had a very interesting plot twist going on,” Green said on his podcast. “Big Rudy Gobert said he had surgery on his finger or something. Coach said he thought the matchups were an issue, so Rudy didn’t start because of the matchups. We don’t know what’s true. I don’t think we have any reason to believe Rudy’s lying, except for the saying that it was for matchups. In the three minutes that Rudy checked in, Shai started getting off. To be taken out of the lineup on any other team in the Olympics as an NBA player, not named Team USA, is kind of crazy.”
Team France won 83-72 and will face Germany in the semifinal on Thursday. Gobert may see more minutes in that game if the matchups are favorable. Check out the video of Green on his podcast below.
