Rudy Gobert managed to Eurostep past both the Phoenix Suns and the NBA rulebook on Friday night.
The Minnesota Timberwolves center Gobert was able to get away with a comical travel during the first quarter of Game 3 against the Suns. Gobert deflected a pass from Kevin Durant and then began galloping the other way for a layup. While Gobert managed to convert the basket, he seemed to take an extra step (or five) as he did so.
Take a look at the funny video.
lmaooooo Rudy took about 7 steps pic.twitter.com/467FrjXUYj
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) April 27, 2024
Here is another angle of the play.
4 steps here from Rudy Gobert #Suns #Wolves #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/prVhvSjml0
— Suns Geek (@sunsgeek) April 27, 2024
Even by the most liberal interpretation of a gather step, Gobert had to have taken at least three steps after picking up his dribble there. Perhaps the referees were in awe of a seven-footer running a successful (albeit very awkward) fast-break and just let him have his moment.
Gobert has been earning his keep in the series otherwise though. The Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner managed 16.0 points and 12.5 rebounds per night through the first two games against the Suns. Still, that bumbling fast-break won’t do much to sway the many NBA peers who think that Gobert is overrated.
