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As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare for the 2026-27 season, head coach Chris Finch offered a passionate defense of veteran center Rudy Gobert, arguing that the four-time Defensive Player of the Year deserves first-ballot induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Speaking on the latest episode of The Road Trippin' Show during NBA Summer League, Finch praised Gobert's leadership and impact, saying much of what makes him valuable goes unnoticed outside the organization. “First of all, he’s a great teammate. He’s about the right things. He is a floor raiser like when he is out there every single night you are going to be at a certain level and have a chance to win every night,” Finch said. “With Rudy, his successes, the things that are going on in the background at a high-level all the time are not always noticed. His mistakes are loud and so people can point to that.” Finch said criticism of Gobert has become a rallying point within the Timberwolves' locker room, emphasizing that the veteran center has earned far more respect than he often receives. “I think it’s a crime. It’s a shame how people will criticize Rudy and it’s something internally that our guys have rallied around,” Finch said. “Rudy has a ton of pride and he’s like driven by his pride. He has every reason to believe he’s a good player because he really is. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer.” Rudy Gobert's résumé backs Timberwolves coach Chris Finch's Hall of Fame case Gobert enters his 14th NBA season with one of the league's most decorated defensive résumés. The 34-year-old is a three-time All-Star, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, an All-NBA Second Team selection, an eight-time All-Defensive First Team honoree, a one-time All-Defensive Second Team selection, the NBA's 2017 blocks leader and the league's 2022 rebounding champion. While Gobert's offensive game has often drawn scrutiny throughout his career, his defensive impact has consistently placed him among the league's elite centers. Since arriving in Minnesota, he has anchored one of the NBA's top defensive units and helped the Timberwolves establish themselves as perennial playoff contenders. The Timberwolves also enter the new season with renewed optimism after acquiring All-Star guard LaMelo Ball earlier this offseason. Minnesota believes Ball's playmaking will help unlock more of the offense around Gobert, particularly as a lob threat, while taking pressure off Anthony Edwards as the primary ball-handler. Gobert remains a key piece of those plans. Beyond his on-court production, Finch made it clear he views the veteran center as one of the NBA's most underappreciated stars and believes his career accomplishments already warrant a place among basketball's all-time greats. With training camp approaching, Minnesota expects Gobert to once again anchor its defense as the franchise pursues another deep playoff run. Finch's endorsement underscored the organization's confidence that Gobert's legacy extends far beyond the criticism he has faced throughout his career.