In recent years, it has almost become the cool thing to do to make disparaging remarks when it comes to Rudy Gobert. Whether it’s the king’s ransom that the Minnesota Timberwolves gave up to acquire him in 2022, viral moments like Luka Doncic cooking him on the perimeter in the playoffs, or Shaquille O’Neal and Draymond Green clearly having an agenda when it comes to him, Gobert isn’t seen by many in the high regard that he should be.
Those criticisms are mostly unfounded and unfair. Gobert is one of three players with four Defensive Player of the Year awards to his name, and deservedly so.