Mavericks fans' hatred for Rudy Gobert intensifies after cheap shot on Dallas center

One of the most hated players in the NBA by Dallas Mavericks fans as well as fans around the NBA is Rudy Gobert.

Gobert is an outstanding defensive-minded center and an excellent rebounder, but he is known to be disrespected by his peers as well as fans.

Mavs fans aren't particularly fond either, as they played him in the 2022 NBA Playoffs when he was on the Jazz as well as last season when the Mavs played the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.

Rudy Gobert intentionally throws ball at Dwight Powell's face

If you forgot already, Luka Doncic drilled a game-winning three over Rudy Gobert in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, and he let him hear it afterward. This series made Mavs fans dislike Gobert even more, and a recent play while he was playing for France ahead of the Olympics would make them hate him even more.

In an exhibition game against Canada, as Gobert was falling out of bounds he threw the ball at Mavs center Dwight Powell's face.

Throwing the ball at an opponent while falling out of bounds is a common play, but not purposely in the face. This play was deliberate by Gobert, and it's obvious why he is disliked by fans and players around the league.

Powell is one to commonly get hit in the face, and this play by Gobert was so preventable. He could have just thrown the ball at Powell's feet or legs, but he drilled him in the face.

Gobert always seems to be starting altercations and although Powell didn't seem to take too much exception to this play, it's still a bad look on Gobert.

Next season will have multiple must-watch games between the Mavs and Timberwolves, and they will both be battling for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Although Powell likely won't play much next season, he is an outstanding leader and showed that he can be decent as a backup center at points last season. He is the longest-tenured player on the team, and his teammates and the organization as a whole seem to love him.

For all the latest on Dwight Powell and the Dallas Mavericks, stay tuned.