Rudy Gobert named best NBA defender for the fourth time in his career, a record

In the pantheon of the best defenders in history. Rudy Gobert was named the best defender of the year in the NBA this Tuesday. This is the fourth time the Minnesota Timberwolves center has won the “Defensive Player Of The Year” trophy (following 2018, 2019 and 2021), making him tied with fellow record holders Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace. He is ahead of his compatriot Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio) and Bam Adebayo (Miami).

When he arrived in Minnesota in the summer of 2022, in exchange for several players and draft rounds, the Frenchman had a mission: to turn the Wolves into one of the best defenses in the NBA. After a first season of trial and error, finding his feet with the other interior Karl-Anthony Towns (long injured), the mission was more than successful. The NBA’s thirteenth-ranked defense before the arrival of Gobert, the Minneapolis franchise is now the best in this area, at 108.4 points allowed/100 possessions, and had a stellar regular season (3rd in the West).

Averaging 14 points, 12.9 rebounds (No. 2 in the NBA this season) and 2.1 blocks, the former Jazz center didn’t sign his best statistical season, but the numbers are very solid and, above all, the impact arguably never had . been so great. He is second (behind Draymond Green) in the ranking of players who most reduce the success percentage of his direct opponent (-6.1). When he’s on the court, Wolves are also the team that concedes the fewest shots near the circle, all with the lowest opposition percentage, as the Frenchman is so terrifying.

A role model for his teammates

The control tower of his team, exemplary defensive captain, he coached all his teammates. ” He helps me become a better defender, he allows me to play better.Towns explained. “He talks to me and helps me a lot”said Anthony Edwards, the Wolves star, as manager Mike Conley compared the Frenchman’s impact to a LeBron James or a Stephen Curry. “He established a defensive culture here”praised his coach Chris Finch after the Game 2 win against the Nuggets, while Minnesota was without the Frenchman due to paternity.

Snubbed by the coaches during the All-Star Game – where Minnesota was represented by the Edwards-Towns duo – the Frenchman gets his revenge. Waiting for a happy outcome to the current playoff campaign?