Before he was the first NBA player to test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was a first-time All-Star and back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year. Despite his accolades though, Philadelphia 76ers point-forward Ben Simmons is taking Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis over the French big man.
Per NBC Sports Philadelphia, via Lakers Nation:
With the NBA suspending league operations effective March 12, the state of the 2019-20 season is unknown. If the season is officially over though, Anthony Davis would finish as the Lakers' leading scoring. He is averaging 26.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game, all while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from deep.
Rudy Gobert, meanwhile, averaged 15.1 points and 13.7 rebounds per game along with a pair of blocks each contest. The Jazz anchor their defense around the Frenchman's intimidating presence in the paint, while the Lakers have built a formidable defense with Davis, LeBron James, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard.
Disregarding Davis' better scoring ability than the Jazz center, Simmons thinks the former New Orleans Pelicans All-NBA power forward has been better on defense, too, claiming “The Brow” can defend every position.