The NBA community saw an intense moment on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, as Golden State Warriors Draymond Green put Minnesota Timberwolves Rudy Gobert in a chokehold, marking the peak of a rivalry that has been developing for half a decade. This feud has its roots in competitive spirit and professional achievements dating back to 2017, revolving mostly around their battle for the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award.
Via ESPN: Gobert stated, “There’s a lot of factors. I think guys like Draymond Green have had a tremendous season. […] Draymond is great at guarding multiple positions and switching, but for myself, I impact people that I’m not guarding.”
Draymond Green-Rudy Gobert beef history:
A THREAD pic.twitter.com/S6ur5ZDjGX
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) November 15, 2023
In the beginning, their interactions were professional with Gobert acknowledging Green’s abilities in guarding multiple positions and impacting the game. Green also maintained a level of professionalism when discussing Gobert. But, their tone slowly shifted as the rivalry intensified over the years.
Did the drama between Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert start with their DPOY wins?
Their competition for the DPOY award is the source of the rivalry. In 2017 the tensions between them increased when Gobert tweeted “Lmao” in response to a Bleacher Report post comparing Green and Kawhi Leonard, though it seemed more of a critique of the publication than a direct jab at Green.
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) September 7, 2017
At the start of the 2017-18 season, Gobert answered to a question about challenging Green for the Defensive Player of the Year award by stating, “Of course. Every year, I think I’m the best defensive player in the league and I want to be the best.” Gobert stated.
The competitive spirit was visible when Gobert expressed his desire to replace Green as the reigning DPOY. This highlighted his continuous aim to become the best defensive player in the league.
In 2019, Draymond Green subtweets Rudy Gobert after being snubbed from the All-Star Game
The turning point in their relationship came in 2019, following an emotional response from Gobert over an All-Star snub. Green took to Twitter to mock Gobert’s reaction, suggesting he should have cried over his own All-Star snub, too. This was a more direct and personal level of confrontation than the previous ones.
“I guess I should cry too… no Charlotte?”– Green posted
Dec 2018: Dray taunts Rudy after stealing the ball from him
pic.twitter.com/NPg64ngNo7— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) November 15, 2023
Gobert then liked the following tweet reply, trolling Green about recruiting Kevin Durant following the Warriors’ 2016 Finals defeat further increasing the tension. This exchange set the stage for a more open and heated rivalry, transforming their professional competition into a personal feud. This shift in dynamics laid the foundation for the physical fight that took recently, culminating years of building tension between two of the NBA’s defensive legends.