Rudy Gobert is making the headlines once again this offseason, but for once, it’s not because someone’s taking a shot at him. Instead, Gobert went viral because of a video where he was seen sparring with former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane.
Ciryl Gane sparring with Rudy Gobert 👀🔥
🎥 @mmafactory_fr #UFC #MMA #NBA pic.twitter.com/t3gASzuQB9
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 9, 2024
While some might assume Gobert has decided to undergo some boxing training due to all the criticism that has come his way recently, that is not the case. The 32-year-old has been boxing in the offseason for almost 10 years at this point. Back in 2018, Gobert revealed during an interview that the sport was his first love before basketball and that he had picked it up again.
“I was boxing before I started basketball, and then when I really started to focus on basketball, I got away from boxing for a long time, but for the last three or four years, I’ve got back on track and I get better every summer,” Gobert said.
While Gobert might have gotten better over time, he is still no match for fellow Frenchman Gane. If you’re wondering if these boxing sessions actually help the three-time All-Star on the basketball court, he firmly believes they do.
Gobert explained in that interview that it helps him make better use of his reach and improves his footwork. He also gains a better understanding of how to defend himself in different scenarios with those sessions.
What Gobert is doing isn’t unconventional either. Many NBA players over the years have undertaken boxing workouts in the offseason, with Damian Lillard being one of them. It does indeed help one play better on the basketball court.
Nick Young Hilariously Offered To Help Rudy Gobert Fight Gilbert Arenas And Draymond Green
While boxing sessions in the offseason are nothing new for Gobert, Nick Young didn’t know that was the case. Young had previously claimed that the big man needed to hit somebody to gain some respect, and so when he saw the video, he offered to help him beat Gilbert Arenas and Draymond Green.
“Aye Rudy Gobert I see you boxing , now all you gotta next , is roll up to Gil’s Arena, drop him while he talking sports and u good lol dm me for address. I’ll leave the gate open or ‘we’ can wait to ‘we’ play the Warriors I can help you sneak in the locker room and we can get Draymond lol.”
Aye @rudygobert27 I see you boxing , now all you gotta next , is roll up to Gil’s Arena, drop him while he talking sports and u good lol dm me for address 😂😂😂 I’ll leave the gate open or “we”can wait to “we” play the warriors I can help you sneak in the locker room and we can…
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) September 9, 2024
Green, of course, has been beefing with Gobert for years at this point. Their relationship has only gotten worse over time too and last season saw one of the ugliest incidents involving the two.
In a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves in Nov. 2023, Green shockingly put Gobert in a chokehold. He was suspended for five games after that but made it clear he felt no remorse. Green stated he did not regret choking Gobert and these two are unlikely to ever mend fences.
As for Arenas, he is one of many who believe Gobert does not deserve to have four Defensive Player of the Year awards to his name. He has been fairly vocal about that as well, but neither he nor Draymond should worry too much about Gobert retaliating against them at any point.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
