About a recent episode of the Game theory podcastSam Vecenie and Bryce Simon have arranged the 16th to the 9th best defenders of the NBA. Minnesota Timberwolves Big Man Rudy Gobert came in as the 10th ranked defender. Vecenie described Gobert as an “incredible rim protector and an absolute wall on the edge.” Simon noted that he is changing the mentality of attacking players and that he is changing the process of their shot attempts.
Rudy Gobert is undoubtedly a historically large rim protector. His four defensive player of the year prizes are most tied in the NBA history, with his most recent prize in the 2023-24 season. Moreover, Gobert has made all all defensive teams. Before his career, Gobert has an average of 2.1 blocks per game.
Given his defensive dominance, it is worth asking yourself if Gobert should have been higher. Until then, Vecenie and Simon mentioned Gobert’s versatility, age and a slight slip in his positioning as reasons for him that was not ranked higher. In particular, versatility was the main reason. Although I would probably have arranged Gobert a little higher, these are valid arguments, and in 10th place Gobert is still in an elite class.
Let’s dive into what makes Gobert a dominant defender before we went back to his ranking.
Rudy Gobert is a historically large rim protector
Since he was traded to Minnesota in 2022, Gobert de Wolves has led to a top 10 defense every season, including the best defense of the competition in 2023-24. He has changed the process of the wolves and has been an important part of the back-to-back conference final performances of the team. The 7-foot-1 Frenchman has a strong thing to be the best defensive anchor of this generation. Unbelievable, opponents shot only 53.7 percent when it was defended by Gobert in less than six feet of the basket last season. Compared to the competition average of 63.4 percent, it is easy to see Gobert’s dominance as a rim protector.
Gobert also placed an impressive -4.4 on/off defensive swing. He on average 1.4 blocks, which is lower than his career average, but still places Gobert under Elite Company. As Vecenie and Simon discussed, Gobert is not only a great shotblocker; He really changes how the opponent plays. In general, according to all the accounts, even at 33, Gobert has a strong matter as the best rim protector of the competition.
Gobert’s ranking may seem low, but it is reasonable
Although 10 may seem a bit low, the big men above him are more versatile. The entire list is not revealed, but it is reasonable to Evan Mobley, Victor Wembanyama, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, years Jackson Jr. To assume and Drayond Green is on the 8-1 part of the 25 best defenders list. All these great men offer the protection of elite edge and versatility.
Gobert is not a complete stiff switches like some people will tell you, but his versatility cannot be compared with this group. Given this, it is understandable to put Gobert down a bit. I would have Gobert above Alex Caruso, who was arranged in one place for Rudy, given the lack of minutes of Caruso. The big men who are probably above Gobert, however, seem to me honestly for me despite his historical dominance.
Vecenie also brought that Gobert is now 33, which means that his days of a top five defender may be over, even if he is still elite. Moreover, he was a bit worried that Gobert played a greater role after the departure of Nickeil Alexander Walker, given his age. It is also worth noting that the wolves have no other rim protector, close to the Gobert level. In the end, Gobert remains an elite ranger and defender, but his lack of versatility and age stops him from the top-five range.
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