Timberwolves Big Man is All-Defense Again

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Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There was a time this season it seemed like there was an outside chance Rudy Gobert could win a record fifth Defensive Player of the Year award. Instead San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama took it unanimously from his fellow frenchman.

Gobert is still licking his chops after Wembanyama and the Spurs ended Minnesota’s season, It isn’t how Gobert, Anthony Edwards, or Chris Finch wanted things to go. That said, there are still plenty of silver linings.

Individually Gobert was again a defensive asset this season, and his presence was felt especially in the series victory against the Denver Nuggets. On Friday he was honored with another All-NBA selection as well.

Rudy Gobert named All-Defense for Minnesota Timberwolves

The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year didn’t land that honor this season. However, Rudy Gobert was named to the First All-Defensive Team yet again. It’s the ninth time in his career he has been included, and the eighth time it has come as a member of the first team.

Joining Gobert on the First All-Defense team was Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio), Ausar Thompson (Detroit), and Derrick White (Boston). The second team did not include standout Timberwolves wing defender Jaden McDaniels. He has now been left off for the last two seasons.

Gobert played 76 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. He led the league with a 68.2% field goal rating, and hauled in 11.5 rebounds per game. He averaged 1.6 blocks per game and consistently impacted the lane for the driving opposition.

A season ago Gobert was named to the All-Defensive Second Team for just the first time in his career. He quickly rectified that by getting back to the top echelon this time around.

MN Timberwolves may cash in Rudy Gobert

It seems highly likely that the Minnesota Timberwolves move on from Julius Randle this offseason. They are looking for the ideal star to pair with Anthony Edwards, and the New York Knicks acquisition has proven to not be that.

It remains to be seen if Rudy Gobert suffers the same fate, but it should be assumed that Tim Connelly will listen. Gobert has provided very little from an offensive standpoint, and a shuffling of the roster makes sense.

Minnesota swung a massive trade with the Utah Jazz to land Gobert. He has shown his value over four seasons with the Wolves, but the configuration may simply no longer work. As Minnesota attempts to line themselves up for a first title, everything is on the table.

Gobert will be 34 years old next season, and this may be the last opportunity for the Timberwolves to move him and get real value.

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