Dwight Howard expresses skepticism about Rudy Gobert’s four Defensive Player of the Year awards, questioning his individual defensive impact on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast.
Bollywood Fever: Dwight Howard, the former Lakers center and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, has sparked debate with his recent comments on Rudy Gobert‘s multiple Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) awards.
During an appearance on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, “Gil’s Arena,” Howard was asked to weigh in on Gobert’s defensive impact in the NBA, leading to a candid discussion.
Howard, who won the DPOY title three times during his illustrious career, expressed skepticism about Gobert’s four DPOY awards.
“I mean, it’s tough to say, you know, because I never want to say nothing negative about any players,” Howard began. But I don’t think he deserved those Defensive Player of the Years like he got ’em. I feel like he’s a great team defender. But for what he did to get those Defensive Player of the Years, I don’t see it.”
Howard went on to elaborate, suggesting that Gobert’s physical attributes may have played a significant role in his accolades.
“I don’t see him being an elite defender. I see him as somebody who has the size. He’s seven-two. So when you’re seven-two, and you’re playing with athletic guys, you don’t have to do nothing but clean up their mistakes or just be big in the paint.”
Rudy Gobert, currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has built a reputation as one of the NBA’s premier defenders since becoming a starter for the Utah Jazz in 2015.
His accolades include seven selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, leading the league in blocks in 2017, and earning three All-Star honors.
His four DPOY awards tie him with NBA legends Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace, solidifying his place in the conversation of the best defenders in the league’s history.
However, Howard’s comments suggest that Gobert’s past awards may have been more a result of team dynamics than individual excellence.
He did acknowledge that Gobert has shown recent improvement, particularly in defending pick-and-roll situations, but remained critical of the criteria that led to Gobert’s multiple DPOY wins.
Gobert’s defensive prowess has often been the subject of debate, with supporters pointing to his shot-blocking, rim protection, and influence on team defense, while critics, like Howard, question whether those qualities alone merit multiple DPOY titles.
As the conversation continues, Gobert’s legacy as a defensive force in the NBA remains a topic of discussion among fans, players, and analysts alike.
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