“He’s not an elite defender…” Dwight Howard can’t understand Rudy Gobert being DPOY

Former NBA legend Dwight Howard weighed in on the 4-time DPOY winner Rudy Gobert's defensive gameplay on the Gil's Arenas Show.

“He’s not an elite defender…” Dwight Howard can’t understand Rudy Gobert being DPOY

Dwight Howard had some constructive criticism for Rudy Gobert

The Minnesota Timberwolves star defender Rudy Gobert has stolen the headlines lately after former NBA star Dwight Howard‘s recent comments directed at the player. Gobert has been one of the most consistent players in defense for his side, the Timberwolves. He has won the NBA’s DPOY four times, which is a huge feat for a defender in the sport.

However, Howard still does not believe that Gobert is an ‘elite defender’ as per his recent take on the Gil’s Arenas Show. Howard and Gobert are two of the best defensive centers of the past 15 years. Since 2008, they have collectively won seven Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) awards. Gobert surpassed Howard’s three DPOY titles with his fourth win during the 2023-24 season.

Despite this, Howard had some constructive criticism for Gobert. On the Gil’s Arenas Show, Dwight Howard said,

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I don't think he deserved those Defensive Player of the Years like he got them. I feel like he's a great team defender but for what he did to get those Defensive Player of the Years, I don't see it. I don't see him being an elite defender.
Dwight Howard on Rudy Gobert’s DOPY

Last season, Rudy averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks, but was easily outplayed in pure numbers by DPOY runner-up Victor Wembanyama. Despite Wemby’s 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game, Rudy received the award because everybody witnessed his direct influence on the Wolves’ success. It now remains to be seen how Gobert will perform in the upcoming NBA season with the Timberwolves.

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Draymond Green slammed Rudy Gobert for not ‘guarding’ Nikola Jokic during Playoffs

Last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs. Particularly, in Game 6, their star player, Anthony Edwards, scored 27 points against the Nuggets. Interestingly, they kept Nikola Jokic, the 2024 NBA MVP, quiet. However, Karl Anthony-Towns was assigned to guard Jokic instead of the Timberwolves standout center and 2024 NBA DPOY Rudy Gobert.

This did not go down well with another NBA great, Draymond Green. He bashed Gobert for not guarding Jokic in Game 6 despite winning the 2024 DPOY.

We sitting here breaking down KAT having to stop Joker, who’s a center. And a Defensive Player of the Year is on your team (Rudy Gobert), and he a center, very interesting how the cookie crumbles.
Draymond Green said on the Draymond Green Show

Green additionally compared it to having Jaylen Brown guard Warriors’ star Steph Curry instead of Marcus Smart. Smart was selected as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the Boston Celtics in 2021-22. It’s important to note that, Green has a long-standing rivalry with Gobert. Hence, his assessment of Gobert appears to be always sharp, and mostly negative.

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