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Nets: Kevin Durant takes clear shot at Rudy Gobert’s defense on JJ Redick’s podcast

ByJerry Trotta|
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 2, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 2, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Nets star Kevin Durant took a clear shot at Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert when discussing the 2019-20 All-NBA Defensive Teams.

Last week, the NBA announced the members of the 2019-20 All-Defensive Teams, and for the most part, the players included were deserving of the nod. It is worth noting that some players received votes who are average (at best) defenders, but we didn’t lose sleep over it.

What was markedly alarming, however, was the snub of Jrue Holiday, who was somehow left off the first and second teams despite being widely regarded as the consensus best perimeter guard defender in the league by his colleagues.

A number of stars from around the league came to the New Orleans Pelicans point guard’s defense in the wake of his snub, and Kevin Durant joined that list during an appearance on JJ Reddick’s podcast.

Not only did Durant laud Holiday for being able to guard all five positions at an elite level, but he also took an apparent dig at Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert in the process.

"“There’s a huge discrepancy between what players think and what the media thinks,” said Durant. “I see a lot of Defensive Player of The Years who teams have targeted in the playoffs. And had to play them off the court because they couldn’t guard a pick and roll, or they couldn’t guard a wing player on a switch, you know what I’m saying? So those guys get looked at as the best defenders in the league.”"

Durant didn’t mention any names in this clip, but it’s clear as day that he was talking about Gobert, who won the Defensive Player of the Year award in both 2018 and 2019 before his reign was ended this season by Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s also been a member of four different All-NBA defensive teams.

Though the Jazz stalwart is one of the most proficient rim protectors in the game, he’s come under criticism throughout his career for his inability to read a pick and roll. Gobert’s ginormous 7-foot-9 wingspan occasionally bails him out in these scenarios as he’s able to recover and alter a shot at the rim. Where he gets himself into trouble, as Durant pointed out, is when guards are able to isolate him on the perimeter following a switch.

He also failed to shine this postseason, specifically.

Credit to Reddick for inviting Durant on the pod because he provided a string of savage quotes during their discussion. The Brooklyn Nets star was the epitome of unfiltered here, and it’s evident he had no regard for how Gobert would view these comments.

Fans in Brooklyn should be circling their calendars for the Nets’ first matchup against Utah next season, because you just know that Durant is going to be looking to back up his heartless slander for the Frenchman.