Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 stats: 13.6 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.4 apg, 0.7 spg, 65.5 FG% in 91 games
Salary level: No. 13 ($41,000,000)
He won the 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year for a record fourth time, at Minnesota’s. Rudy Gobert it was also mocked in the playoffs by some opposing players and fans as being “exposed” defensively when forced to defend switches.
Look, if a center setting up Doncic’s eye on the perimeter is the measure of winning Defensive Player of the Year, no big man can win the award again. Sure, more versatility would help Gobert on the defensive end, but as it stands, he’s the most powerful defender in the league, as his great size, length and timing help him shut down opponents.
And, despite being “exposed,” Gobert played a major role in the Timberwolves’ run to the Western Conference finals. Oh, and he made Minnesota 16.0 points per 100 possessions better when he sat out the postseason, obviously, his impact is felt more on opposing teams, including on the biggest stage possible.
So maybe it’s time for the Gobert slander to end.
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