After Snub Last Season, Rudy Gobert Is ‘Very Grateful’ For 2020 NBA All-Star Nod
Jan 31, 2020, 1:21 PM | Updated: 1:22 pm
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) goes up for a dunk over New York Knicks guard Elfrid Payton (6) as the Utah Jazz and the New York Knicks play an NBA basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. Courtesy of Deseret News.
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert said that he is “very grateful” for his selection as a 2020 NBA All-Star. This is the first all-star selection of Gobert’s seven-year career after he was snubbed last season.
Gobert was chosen a Western Conference all-star reserve on Thursday, January 30.
“Very grateful to have the opportunity to represent the Utah Jazz in Chicago with my brother Donovan Mitchell!” Gobert tweeted the day after his first all-star selection. “Never stop chasing your dreams!”
Very grateful to have to the opportunity to represent the @utahjazz in Chicago with my brother @spidadmitchell ! Never stop chasing your dreams! 🔮 https://t.co/8d1O6tRMRu
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) January 31, 2020
This season’s announcement brought a different reaction than the one Gobert showed after not receiving an all-star nod in 2019.
One day after Western Conference coaches left him out of the 2019 NBA All-Star game, Gobert publicly addressed his feelings after getting snubbed. He was emotional during a media availability after the team’s shootaround. At the end of the media session, the Jazz center turned his head and covered his eyes before walking off in tears.
After the 2019 reserves were announced and Gobert’s name wasn’t included among the Western Conference all-stars, Gobert’s mother called him crying. Gobert said it was a “rough night.”
Fast forward a year later and Gobert now owns the honor to represent his family, the country of France, and the Utah Jazz during the league’s all-star showcase.
“I’m very excited to be able to represent the Jazz in the all-star game,” said Gobert after he was announced as a Western Conference reserve.
"It's very rewarding for what we've been doing as a team." pic.twitter.com/w3dfrd3l4r
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 31, 2020
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Gobert earned a $1 million bonus for his all-star selection.
Rudy Gobert has earned a $1M bonus for being selected as a Western Conference reserve. The bonus is now deemed likely and the Utah center will see his 2020/21 cap hit increase to $27.5M (pending other bonuses). https://t.co/ALCzs3tXvw
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 31, 2020
Through 45 games this season, Gobert is averaging 15.7 points, 14.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.0 blocks.
Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell, who was also named an NBA All-Star for the first time this season, posted a congratulatory message to Gobert on Twitter later on Friday morning.
“YESSIR BIG FELLA!” posted Mitchell. “Can’t take this away from us!”
YESSIR BIG FELLA! Can’t take this away from us! Want to thank @utahjazz organization and coaches and every single teammate I’ve had because with out you guys I wouldn’t be where I am today 💯💯💯 pic.twitter.com/LdDwZ88NL1
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) January 31, 2020
Gobert and Mitchell will play in the All-Star Game on Sunday, February 16 at 6 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on TNT.
