NBA DPOY Power Rankings, No. 1: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert is the best defender in the world, and when you look in other numbers it’s not even close. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has put together a career season thus far and frankly should be getting at least some buzz for MVP. Gobert is averaging 13.5 rebounds a game, while also getting 3.1 blocks a game and altering dozens of shots around the rim every night.
All you Gobert-haters out there can roll your eyes – the simple fact is you just have not been watching the game. Scanning stat lines and watching Twitter highlights of someone scoring on him isn’t painting the real picture of who he is as a defender.
Let’s go through the stats. Rudy Gobert is in the 99th percentile on Defensive Plus-Minus. He is the 90th percentile in Block Rate, the 97th percentile in Rim Defense, 90th percentile in Isolation Defense and 94th percentile in Pick and Roll Defense. Opponents shoot 12 percent less from the field when guarded by Rudy Gobert.
In every advanced defensive metric except for deflections, Rudy Gobert is in at least the 90th percentile. He’s not a block monster like Myles Turner, he’s not as versatile as Ben Simmons, and he’s not as freakishly athletic as Giannis. But he is the best in the game of basketball at defense.
The one thing I believe you can quantify with Defensive Player of the Year is what is this true impact when he’s on the floor. When Rudy Gobert is on the floor, Utah’s defensive rating is at 105.5, and it’s a 115.2 when he’s off the floor – a Net Rating of almost 10! Opponents attack the rim like crazy when Rudy is off the floor, because they know that’s the only time they’re going to get to the rim in the game.
Gobert would average more blocks if players weren’t so terrified to go at him. They avoid the rim at all costs, or they try and pay a terrible price. Don’t believe me? Ask the Chicago Bulls two weeks ago where Gobert had nine blocks.
The Utah Jazz is the third-best defense in the League, and Gobert is the sole reason why. The Jazz are behind the Lakers and the Sixers, but Utah has spent most of the season up 20 points in the game so there’s a ton of junk time that skews those numbers. So, let’s look at first half defense – typically a game is not over by then. If you look at first half defense, Utah Jazz are 1st in defense with a 104.9 Defensive Rating, with the next closest team at 106.5. Rudy Gobert again anchors a stout defense that shuts down teams in the first half and then their offense gets the game out of reach.
Still don’t think Gobert is the Defensive Player of the Year? OK, here’s a knockout punch.
The Jazz’s best defensive lineup with Rudy Gobert has a Defensive Rating of 102.5 in 231 minutes on the floor. This is one of the three best defensive lineups in the league with over 150 minutes played. Do you know who the other four players in this lineup? Mike Conley, Joe Ingles, Jordan Clarkson, and Georges Niang.
Conley is a good defender but undersized, and you would never describe Ingles, Clarkson and Niang as “defensive stalwarts”. This is the Rudy Gobert effect. You find a lineup that jives well with him it’s going to succeed.
Defensive Player of the Year should value not just stats, but true impact on the team. The other four on this list are exceptional defenders, but if the Jazz did not have Rudy they would be a well below-average defensive team and certainly wouldn’t have the best record in the league.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the award ends up going to Ben Simmons or Giannis at the end. But if you take an objective look at defensive impact – it’s Rudy Gobert, and then everyone else.