NBA Awards 2019: 3 reasons why Rudy Gobert should win the Defensive Player of the Year Award

Rudy Gobert was drafted 27th overall by the Utah Jazz back in 2013. Now, having just completed his 6th NBA season, Gobert just finished recording his third straight season averaging a double-double with 15.9 ppg and 12.9 rpg.

He is best known for his defensive work on the basketball court. He has already been named to 3 NBA All-Defensive teams from 2017 to 2019. Gobert was also named the 2018 Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. At 7’1 and 255 lbs with a 7’8 wingspan and a standing reach of 9’7, there is no wonder why he earned the NBA’s blocks leader title in 2017 as he has the length and athletic ability to do so. Gobert recorded an average of 2.3 blocks per game in 2019.

Now that the 2018-19 NBA season and 2019 NBA Playoffs are completed, the NBA Awards and draft are next. Rudy Gobert is in consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year award and here are three reasons he should receive the award for the second time:

#1 Positive Impact on the Utah Jazz

Shortly before Gobert as snubbed for selection to the All-Star teams in 2019, team president Steve Starks stated:

“We feel strongly that Rudy deserves to be an All-Star. The stats, the box score, his impact on the game speaks for itself.”

Utah head coach Quin Synder also stated:

“So much of what Rudy does I won’t say is thankless, but you have to look for it. You see it and you think, ‘I have to thank him again,’ because he is giving himself to the team.”

Both men would be correct. While the Jazz were 17th in the NBA in scoring at 111.6 ppg, they were 4th in points given up at 106.5 ppg. Whether you point to just Gobert’s 3.8 offensive rebounds per game or his 2.3 bpg, he singlehandedly can be credited with why the Jazz score on 2-3 more possessions than their opponents in the just completed 2018-19 season.

While Gobert did not get a 2019 All-Star selection, it is clear his franchise appreciates his defensive contributions to the team. He is a very credible defender on the perimeter and not a liability as many 7 footers are. While opposing shooters average 34.4% on 3-point shot attempts with Gobert as the primary defender, their efficiency drops against Gobert in the mid-range areas as they connect on only 36.3% from 15 feet away or more against Gobert.

#2 By the stats

Gobert’s contributions to the Utah Jazz’s efforts defensively can be tracked by hard numbers as well as inspirationally. If for example, you consider his 3.8 offensive rebounds per game this season as transitional defense, it helps alter the speed and pace of the opposition’s play. Ultimately opponents cannot fast break and must keep defenders under the backboards to prevent Utah from getting second-chance opportunities.

Those rebounds not only create extra scoring chances but prevents opponents leaking out on Utah’s missed shots and having to face a set Utah defense.

There is also the fact that Gobert grabbed nearly 13 rebounds and averaged 2.3 blocks with 0.8 steals per game. This equates to 16 possessions or close to a minimum of 32 points that Gobert saves Utah when he’s on the floor.

Gobert averaged 31.8 minutes per game this season so he saves Utah at least 1 point per minute with his defensive effectiveness. It does not matter whether he makes the thankless hustle plays or trackable stats, Gobert is a defensive giant.

#3 Elite rim protector

Houston Rockets v Utah Jazz - Game Three

Rudy Gobert's greatest defensive skill is his shot blocking. He was 3rd in blocked shots this season (2.3 bpg) and that number was actually 2.6 bpg in the playoff. There is no question that the Utah Jazz’s perimeter defenders can be more aggressive knowing they have a mobile rim protector who defends the pick and roll well, takes away opposing players' shots when driving to the basket, rebounds, alters or blocks shots at a high rate.

Gobert's length and lateral quickness bother attacking players attempting layups or close range runners forcing them to hesitate or even give up on the idea of taking the shot. He recorded 4 or more blocked shots in 18 different games this season.

On Christmas Day in 2018, Gobert recorded 7 blocked shots in a 21-point victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. In this game, the Trail Blazers shot just 39.2% from the field and Portland got just 17 points from their centers.

In the Jazz's 1st round game 3 playoff loss against the Houston Rockets, Gobert again had 7 blocked shots and the Rockets shot just 38.4% overall while Houston's center Clint Capela was held to 11 points. Utah lost the game by just 3 points.

When Gobert is on the floor, Utah's opponents struggle to score. In fact, Utah was 8th overall in opponent field goal percentage this season. Gobert, who challenges 27 shots per 100 possessions, makes opponents' efficiency from the field plummet. It also allows Utah perimeter defenders to stay on opposing shooters and not worry about helping when their rim is attacked.

Should Rudy Gobert win the Defensive Player of the Year Award, and he should in 2019, he would join a select few former and present NBA players who have won the award in back to back years. That list would see him join Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace, Dwight Howard, and Kawhi Leonard. It's a great company to be in and Gobert is deserving of the accolade.