10 moments Rudy Gobert didn't look like a four-time DPOY winner

Rudy Gobert has been a significant presence in the NBA. He is a three-time NBA All-Star, four-time All-NBA Team player, seven-time All-Defensive Team selection, and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year Award winner.

With four Defensive Player of the Year Awards, Gobert is tied for the most in NBA history, putting him in the ranks of Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo. Although the accolades are there, not a lot of basketball fans will agree that Gobert is an elite defender. Let's take a look at 10 moments Rudy Gobert didn't look like a four-time DPOY winner.

Rudy Gobert's rude start to the Olympics

Questions about Gobert's Defensive Player of the Year Awards resurfaced during the offseason when France opened their Olympic campaign on their home floor against Brazil.

In this transition play by Brazil, Memphis Grizzlies center Maozinha Pereira converted an alley-oop dunk against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. It's worth noting that Pereira stands only at 6-foot-8 to Gobert's 7-foot-1 stature.

Luka's game winner over the reigning DPOY

Fresh from taking home his fourth Defensive Player of the Year Award, Gobert and the Timberwolves were fighting for their playoff hopes in the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. In Game 2 with the game on the line, Gobert was tasked to defend MVP candidate Luka Doncic in the crucial Mavs possession.

However, Luka prevailed by hitting the game-winning three over the Defensive Player of the Year. After the game, Luka basically said Gobert just can't guard him.

Stephen Curry crosses up Rudy Gobert

Back when Gobert was still with the Utah Jazz, the French center was already winning Defensive Player of the Year Awards. However, someone should've given him a map when he decided to guard Stephen Curry. In this possession, Curry crosses Gobert and leaves him in the rearview mirror for a nasty acrobatic layup to cap off the possession.

Christian Braun puts Rudy Gobert on a poster

Gobert has had his fair share of battles against the Denver Nuggets. But on paper, it seemed like a role player like Christian Braun wouldn't give Gobert any fits. Unfortunately for the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, that wasn't the case at all. In fact, Braun managed to get one poster dunk over Gobert's outstretched arms.

Terrence Mann gets nasty against Rudy Gobert

Another unlikely role player that shouldn't have dunked on the DPOY winner was Terrence Mann. The Los Angeles Clippers guard found himself on an island against Gobert in the corner. Taking advantage of his agility and quickness, Mann met Gobert at the rim, converting a strong one-handed slam in the face of the four-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Spencer Dinwiddie puts Rudy Gobert on the highlight reel

The role players don't stop there. In fact, even the Mavericks' Spencer Dinwiddie could be remembered for his first stint with Dallas when he went up against Gobert. With Dinwiddie left open at the top of the key, the Mavericks guard served a facial against Gobert. In this play, it seemed like no one was afraid of scoring one over the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

Russell Westbrook goes vintage form

Russell Westbrook loves dunking and punishing rims. While his Los Angeles Lakers stint was forgettable at best, Westbrook did have a dunk to remember over the French center. In fact, it was even considered to be a candidate for the Dunk of the Year.

Jaylen Brown puts Gobert on the poster

With several MVPs getting one over Gobert, count 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown as well to put Gobert on the poster. While Gobert is a great rim protector, a lot of people agree that Gobert just isn't capable of defending at an elite level at the perimeter. But in this play made by Brown, it seemed like Gobert was just another obstacle in his way.

Joel Embiid toying with Gobert

Another knock in Gobert's credibility as the Defensive Player of the Year wins is his ability to lock down opposing elite centers who've won MVPs, including Joel Embiid. Nearly every time Gobert guards Embiid, it seems like the French center struggles to put the shackles on the Team USA big man. In fact, Embiid has often bullied the Timberwolves center.

1. Nikola Jokic dominating Rudy Gobert

Another MVP center who's dominated Gobert is reigning three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. In fact, the Serbian big man has even dropped 47 points on Gobert. With Jokic's wide array of moves, The Joker often leaves Gobert confused defensively. In fact, it's safe to say that Jokic even enjoys toying with Gobert as his matchup.