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Rudy Gobert - 2015/2016 Defensive Player Of The Year Push

Hotdog

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I don't think it's a stretch to say he is a strong candidate to win it every year. I predict he will win it a few times. Why not next season? Heck, if voters were smart they would consider him this year. But, not playing a lot in the beginning of the season will probably hurt him.

Rudy Gobert has as big of defensive impact as anyone in the game right now, probably the most actually.

Also, look for him to make many All Defense Teams


That is all.

Discuss
 
Most definitely. He already has the attention of national media, so he isn't an unknown. I would bet on Gobert. It will be interesting to see the Vegas lines on the award for next year.
 
Most definitely. He already has the attention of national media, so he isn't an unknown. I would bet on Gobert. It will be interesting to see the Vegas lines on the award for next year.

I think most importantly is that he embraces it, and wants to be the best rim protector in the league. He already knows he is. I don't think we'll see someone who lays off because he wants to stay out of foul trouble. He's probably going to improve at his defense.
 
I actually think he could even win it this year. I'd put it at 50/50 against Jimmy Butler.
 
Gobert, Whiteside, Butler. . . who else should be looked at for it this year?

Randolph? Gasol? I'm asking because I honestly don't know.
 
While Gobert has only started a handful of games, he's played quite a bit this year and has been a defensive presence since the beginning of the year (and getting better as the season progresses.) if he keeps it up at this pace, I could easily see him being in the conversation.
 
Gobert should be the DPOY this year. He has ammassed more blocks than Anthony Davis (132 for Gobert vs 128 for Davis) in 3/4 as many minutes (1282.5 min for Gobert and 1694.4 min for Davis).
 
Gobert should be the DPOY this year. He has ammassed more blocks than Anthony Davis (132 for Gobert vs 128 for Davis) in 3/4 as many minutes (1282.5 min for Gobert and 1694.4 min for Davis).

I think Gobert is like 6 blocks behind Ibaka for the most on the season.
 
not this year because the team isn't good enough, let's be realistic. But next year, he is a leading candidate for sure. If he keeps up this trend, say going 10/11/3 or even 3.5 next year with such gaudy advanced defensive metrics AND the Jazz make the playoffs, then he got it. And yes, he is bound to rack up tons of all defense team and other accolades.

Barring injuries, the jazz got themselves the best defensive C in the league for the next 8/10 years. He is going to cost the franchise tons of money, but worth it.
 
Agreed.

This is a tangent, but the more I look at our team, the more I think I want to trade down in the draft (and pick up another 2016 or 2017 unprotected 1st) in the process and draft Justin Alexander from UVA. In what is s slow and deliberate offense, I love his stats. 13.4 points on 48.0%/48.4%/80.6%. Those are great numbers, notably the three which is higher than his two-point percentage on 4.3 attempts per game. Throw in 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists (how many college wings do we really see with 2 assists? Not many typically) and only 1.1 personal fouls which is amazing considering they play maybe the best defense in the country and don't have particularly good big men, and this kid can sort of do it all.

In short, I see no reason this kid can't be as good as Winslow and Johnson in most ways. He's crazy long (6'11" wingspan) and to me, uber-athletic enough to defend the 2 or 3 which would be great because that could really help Hayward out. At 21 years old, I know there's not as much upside as some of the other guys but to be able to get a crazy long, athletic kid who comes from a well-taught defensive-minded program and can be a 3 and d team player seems too good to pass up. I also think since he won't be drafted so high, he won't carry the ego that some of these other guys might. In other words, I think he'll fit better. And that size.

Exum: 6'9.5" wingspan
Alexander: 6'11" wingspan
Hayward: 6'7.75" wingspan (he'd be our smallest guy in some ways)
Favors: 7'4" wingspan
Gobert: 7'8.5" wingspan

That length and athleticism and defensive prowess coupled with what has become a stud offensive player in Hayward and a blossoming Favors could be unreal. Throw in a couple more offensive-minded guys off the bench (Burke, Burks) and our offense seems even more capable. Sorry. I'm just way too excited.
 
Gobert, Whiteside, Butler. . . who else should be looked at for it this year?

Randolph? Gasol? I'm asking because I honestly don't know.

Draymond Green should be in the conversation. He is also one of the best defenders in the league
 
All defensive team this year


Gobert
Davis
Draymond
Butler
???

Not sure who to put in that last spot. I could see voters mistakenly putting Whiteside over Gobert. Which would be B.S.
 
Demarre carrol has been outstanding on the wing. He should be considered, but probably won't. Gobert didn't play enough this year. He will win for like ten years though, so it's not a big deal.
 
I think they will give it to Draymond Green, at least if they use advanced metrics. Butler has fallen off a lot since the beginning of the season, but I expect him to get the MIP, so they likely wouldn't give him both awards anyway. But, yeah it will be Gobert's to lose from here on out.
 
Demarre carrol has been outstanding on the wing. He should be considered, but probably won't. Gobert didn't play enough this year. He will win for like ten years though, so it's not a big deal.

I want DeMarre Carroll back. Just imagine how the Jazz can harass teams with a defensive lineup of Gobert, Favors, Carroll, Hayward and Exum. . . damn. Plus the intensity from Gobert, Booker and DMC would be electric.
 
I have never noticed a player make as big a difference on D as Gobert is doing. There have likely been others and I was just not watching as closely, but his impact is amazing. Other teams like the Nuggets last night start out trying to take into the paint like usual, get stuffed a few times. Then you can clearly see them go to plan B:" okay, if I get in the lane I am definitely passing it out." They largely quit trying to get it by Rudy.

Funny to see Ty Lawson's reaction last night when Rudy swatted him from behind. It was like "Whaaaaaat? where the heck did he come from?".
 
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