Beverley, Edwards criticize Gobert's defense after T-Wolves' loss

Patrick Beverley and Anthony Edwards didn't mince words when discussing Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert's defensive skill set after the Minnesota Timberwolves' 136-104 blowout home loss Wednesday.

Beverley questioned why Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, primarily guarded Jarred Vanderbilt rather than taking on Minnesota's top offensive option, Karl-Anthony Towns.

"If I'm Defensive Player of the Year, I'm always guarding the best player no matter what. I'm not roaming," Beverley said postgame, according to Timberwolves beat writer Dane Moore.

"It's no discredit to Royce O'Neale or any of the others on their team, but if I'm Defensive Player of the Year, I'm not guarding Royce O'Neale. I'm guarding Mike Conley, I'm guarding Donovan Mitchell, I'm guarding (Bojan) Bogdanovic," Beverley continued. "You got Rudy Gobert out there guarding Vanderbilt. And every time I hear he's Defensive Player of the Year. So, uh, whatever."

Vanderbilt only attempted two shots in the six minutes Gobert defended him, according to NBA.com matchup data. Meanwhile, Gobert guarded Towns, who led Minnesota with a team-high 22 points, for just over a minute.

Edwards then mentioned how he doesn't feel threatened when challenging the Frenchman at the rim.

"I don't get why we couldn't finish on Rudy Gobert," Edwards said, courtesy of the Star Tribune's Chris Hine. "He don't put no fear in my heart. I don't know why."

Although Edwards isn't intimidated by Gobert, the Jazz big man is averaging 2.2 blocks per game and leading all full-time starters with a 43.5% defensive field-goal percentage on shot attempts within six feet of the rim, according to NBA.com.

Criticism from Beverley and Edwards aside, Gobert and the Jazz got the last laugh, outscoring Minnesota 76-45 in the second half in the convincing victory.