Rudy Gobert Is Quietly Making His Strongest DPOY Case Yet - Again
Rudy Gobert is no stranger to the Defensive Player of the Year conversation - he’s already won the award four times, a feat only matched by NBA legends. But heading into this season, a fifth DPOY felt like a long shot, not because of his play, but because of the usual suspects: voter fatigue and the rise of new contenders like Victor Wembanyama.
Now, with Wembanyama sidelined by a calf injury and nearing the minimum games threshold for award eligibility, the door is wide open. And Gobert? He’s walking through it like he owns the place.
Gobert’s Defense Is Still Elite - And It Might Be Better Than Ever
Let’s start with the eye test - and Tuesday night’s game against the Knicks was about as convincing as it gets. Gobert finished with three blocks, two steals, and anchored a Timberwolves defense that held New York to a 101 defensive rating. That’s not just good - that’s lockdown defense in a league where offensive firepower is at an all-time high.
After the win, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch didn’t hold back in his praise. “It’s defensive player of the year stuff,” Finch said.
“It’s every bit as good as it was two seasons ago, and every other time that he’s won the award. It’s phenomenal.”
And he’s right. This isn’t a flash-in-the-pan stretch. Gobert has been doing this all season long.
The Numbers Back It Up - In a Big Way
Gobert’s impact on the Timberwolves’ defense is both massive and measurable. Minnesota currently ranks sixth in defensive rating, per Cleaning the Glass, and Gobert is a huge reason why.
When he’s on the floor, the Wolves are 13.8 points per 100 possessions better defensively. That’s not just impressive - that’s elite.
It puts him in the 98th percentile among all players league-wide.
To put that in perspective: with Gobert on the court, Minnesota plays like the second-best defense in the league. Without him?
They drop to 28th. That’s a 26-spot swing - the kind of seismic shift that should make any DPOY voter take notice.
And this isn’t just a career-high impact - it’s historic. During his last DPOY campaign, Gobert’s on/off defensive swing was +3.2.
His previous best was +12.1 with the Jazz in 2020-21. This season’s +13.8?
It’s the best of his career, and arguably the best defensive impact anyone’s had this year.
The Rim Is Closed - Thanks to Gobert
Now, some fans might glance at Gobert’s 1.4 blocks per game and assume he’s no longer the same dominant rim protector. But blocks don’t tell the whole story - and in Gobert’s case, they barely scratch the surface.
Opponents are shooting just 45.3% at the rim when Gobert is the primary defender. That’s a staggering number when you consider the league average is 59.9%. He’s not just contesting shots - he’s erasing high-percentage looks.
And even when he’s not directly involved in a play, he’s altering decisions. Opposing teams shoot at the rim 12.7% less often when Gobert is on the floor - that’s in the 100th percentile.
In short, players see Gobert near the paint and think twice. If there were a stat for “shots not taken because Rudy Gobert was lurking,” he’d lead the league by a mile.
According to Databallr, Gobert leads the league in rim points saved with 56.2. That’s not just a nice stat - that’s a game-changing presence.
More Than Just a Drop Coverage Big
There’s still a lingering narrative that Gobert is a traditional drop coverage big with limited mobility. But that undersells what he’s doing in Minnesota. He’s not just sitting back and waiting - he’s erasing mistakes on the perimeter, switching when needed, and elevating the entire defense around him.
Watch the tape, and you’ll see a veteran who knows exactly where to be, how to rotate, and when to challenge. He’s the safety net, the anchor, and the tone-setter - all rolled into one.
So, What’s Holding Him Back?
Honestly, it’s not his play. It’s the fact that he’s already won it four times. Voter fatigue is real, and it’s tough to win a fifth DPOY unless you’re doing something truly undeniable.
But here’s the thing: Gobert is doing something undeniable. He’s having the most impactful defensive season of his career - and that’s saying something.
If the Defensive Player of the Year award is about who makes the biggest difference on that end of the floor, then Rudy Gobert has a case that’s as strong as anyone’s. The numbers, the tape, and the results all point in the same direction: Rudy’s still got it, and he might be better than ever.