Former NBA star Dwight Howard recently sparked controversy by claiming Rudy Gobert didn’t deserve his Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) awards.
Howard, a three-time DPOY winner himself, shared his thoughts on Gobert during an appearance on Gil’s Arena.
He argued that while Gobert is a great team defender, he doesn’t see him as an elite individual defender.
Howard specifically questioned the criteria that led to Gobert winning the prestigious awards multiple times.
The former Orlando Magic center acknowledged Gobert’s size but suggested that his impact is more about being big in the paint than showcasing elite defensive skills.
“He’s 7-2, so when you’re 7-2 and you’re playing with athletic guys, you don’t have to do nothing but clean up their mistakes or just being big in the paint,” Howard stated.
Gobert, currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves, has won the DPOY award four times, solidifying his reputation as one of the top defenders in the league.
In Howard’s view, Gobert’s success is largely due to his height and playing alongside athletic teammates, which simplifies his defensive responsibilities.
“I don’t see him being an elite defender,” Howard added. “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.”
