After Victor Wembanyama named “rookie of the year” on Monday, it is the turn of another Frenchman to shine in the NBA. Rudy Gobert was named “best defender of the year” on Tuesday. The Minnesota Timberwolves pivot thus equals the league record by winning this trophy for the fourth time.
Aged 31, Gobert had already received the award three times in 2018, 2019 and 2021, but this is a first with the Minnesota jersey, which he joined in 2022 from the Utah Jazz . He therefore equals the absolute record won by Ben Wallace of Detroit (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and Dikembe Mutombo (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001) with Denver, Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Wembanyama on the podium
The French giant (2.16m) received 72 votes from a panel of media members to claim his fourth best defender title in seven years ahead of Wembanyama, second with 19 votes and Miami’s Bam Adebayo third with three votes . Gobert averaged 14 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 assists per game this season for the Timberwolves.
“Rudy has been the driving force behind the defensive culture here,” said Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. “It’s a testament to his impact, his presence and what he instilled in the team about the importance of defense and how great it can be when we implement it. »
Minnesota impresses in the play-offs
Gobert is indeed a key element of the Wolves’ iron defense, the best in the NBA this season. After finishing in 3rd place in the Western Conference at the end of the regular season, Minnesota impressed during the play-offs. Victorious over Phoenix in the first round (4-0), the Wolves lead 2-0 against defending champion Denver after two successes in Colorado. Minnesota also managed a breathtaking defensive performance on Monday (106-80 victory) without Rudy Gobert, absent so he could be at the side of his girlfriend who gave birth to their son the same day, according to several media.