Rudy Gobert, since his 2013 NBA Draft, has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the league. The 3-time Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) has been fundamental to everything good the Timberwolves have done this season.
The Minnesota franchise is in a duel with the Nuggets for the top seed of the Western Conference and they are going hammer and tongs at it. After their latest win against the Raptors, the Timberwolves reclaimed the top spot and Gobert got a big chunk of credit for that from their offensive mastermind, Anthony Edwards.
Anthony Edwards lavishes praise on Rudy Gobert
Anthony Edwards and his team have figured out the critical factor necessary for succeeding in the league, which is related to teammate Rudy Gobert. Revealing the reason for their top spot on the Western table, the “Ant-Man” said, “We all trust Rudy.”
Edwards continued to add, “We trust to hit him in the pocket. We trust when we call a post-up that he’s gonna catch it and do his thing, catch it in the pocket and make one more [pass]. We trust him at the free-throw line. You know, just little things like that. It goes a long way, and he’s been playing his a** off.”
Pretty insightful answer here from Anthony Edwards on where he’s seen the most growth from this team since the beginning of the season pic.twitter.com/UM7Y1t2007
— Pierre Noujaim (@TheNoujFOX9) April 4, 2024
The French center has faced backlash for displaying a lack of performance last season when he joined the Timberwolves. However, Gobert has been on fire this time around, showcasing his dominance on the defensive end.
He has also contributed on offense, averaging 13.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting at 65.5% from the field. Due to his high-end defensive performance this season, the Wolves center has become the favorite contender in the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) title race.
Rudy Gobert to win NBA DPOY?
The French phenomenon Rudy Gobert has set his eyes on the fourth DPOY title after putting up brilliant on-court performances this season after safeguarding his team to the top and proving why he already has the other three trophies in his cabinet.
The Timberwolves have a 53-23 record with the same roster as last season, but thanks to Gobert’s presence and 104.4 defensive rating, that has made a huge difference, pulling them up from the mid-table. The 2017 block leader is averaging a little more than two blocks per game this season.
The only obstacle to Gobert’s enormous contribution is the rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, who is a popular choice among NBA experts. However, according to Covers, Rudy Gobert is odds on favorite to win the award ahead of Wembanyama, who is aware of the key difference between them.
The 3-time All-Star might not have had the opportunity to lay his hands on the prestigious Larry O’Brien Trophy yet, but with the Minnesota franchise’s current form, he is well on course for the post-season award.
