The Utah Jazz hammered the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this week, 136-104 on the road. Despite being drubbed at home, that didn't stop some Wolves players from ripping Rudy Gobert afterward. Wolves guard Patrick Beverley called out Gobert for not guarding their best player. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards went so far as to say that he is not scared of Gobert and Kristaps Porzingis is the best rim protector in the game.
That's a hot take considering Jazz center Rudy Gobert is a 3-time defensive player of the year winner. Jazz versatile forward Joe Ingles had a great take on the comments, as noted by Utah Jazz beat writer Ryan Miller.
Joe Ingles on Rudy Gobert slander: "I don't understand. For Edwards to say that Porzingis is more intimidating is hilarious. Obviously, they don't watch enough basketball. Maybe Porzingis blocked him once or something. I don't know."
— Ryan Miller (@millerjryan) December 10, 2021
“I don't understand. For Edwards to say that Porzingis is more intimidating is hilarious. Obviously, they don't watch enough basketball. Maybe Porzingis blocked him once or something. I don't know.”
Porzingis is a solid rim protector and a good defender, but is nowhere close to the level of Rudy Gobert. Gobert is in the middle of his eighth consecutive season with over two blocks per game. That is astounding, especially in today's game. He joined elite company winning his 3rd Defensive Player of the Year Award this past season.
Only Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace and Dwight Howard have ever done that.
It's not just about his shot blocking either. He is consistently one of the best rebounders in the league. Gobert is posting a career-high 14.7 rebounds per game this year. He has been in double figures on the glass for seven years running.
Another cap in the Jazz big man's hat is the fact that his production leads to wins. The Jazz have reached the post season every season since the 2015-2016 and posted the league's best record last year.
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