It wouldn’t be correct to explain Rudy Gobert and Dillon Brooks as two of the NBA’s most polarizing gamers, as a result of that may require every to have legions of followers defending them on a nightly foundation. As a substitute, Gobert and Brooks are usually seen as two of the league’s least likable gamers.

Brooks has earned his fame by means of many incidents of borderline soiled play whereas beefing with nearly everybody within the league. Gobert’s case is extra difficult, however touching a bunch of microphones with Covid and throwing a punch at a teammate hasn’t helped.

Brooks and Gobert confronted one another on opening night time for the 2023 males’s FIBA World Cup when Canada met France. Gobert’s French squad has been a global energy since he first rose to stardom, whereas Canada seems like an emergent contender with so many NBA gamers on the roster. Within the first quarter of the sport, Brooks got here rumbling down the lane and placed on a dunk proper on Rudy.

You like to see it, and hate to see it on the identical time.

Canada beat France, 95-65, to open play in Group H. The Canadians ran away with the sport within the third quarter by out-scoring France 22-4 within the body.

Brooks was glorious as a wing-stopper defensively for Canada — which is precisely why the Houston Rockets gave him $80 million this summer time. Gobert had an terrible displaying, ending -17 on the night time. Gobert shall be higher and so will France, however this felt just like the arrival Canadian followers have been ready for.

We’re protecting monitor of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on this publish. It’s going to be such a enjoyable event.