Rudy Gobert is so back

There are many factors that play into the Wolves’ hot start, but one of the main contributors is Rudy Gobert’s return defensive player of the year form.

Rudy Gobert is unreal pic.twitter.com/kHNvnjpG65

— AlexHoops (@AlexHoops_) November 29, 2023

Related: Karl-Anthony Towns Revival Means Everything for Timberwolves Future

The Wolves currently rank 3rd in the NBA in team defense, allowing 106.2 points per game, only behind the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. Three of their players currently rank in the top-5 of all NBA players in defensive win shares. Anthony Edwards is 5th, Karl-Anthony Towns is 3rd and Rudy Gobert is 1st.

When the Minnesota Timberwolves made the move for Gobert, giving up one of the biggest packages in NBA history, they did so expecting to get the best defensive player in the league and the 3x DPOY. In his first year, Gobert failed to live up to the expectations, and even had fans wondering if the team was better without him.

This year, it has been a completely different story, and it’s making all the difference for the best team in the west. Gobert’s impact has been on full display all season. In the Wolves’ most recent contest vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, Rudy put up 17 points and 16 rebounds to go along with 4 blocks.

Rudy Gobert for NBA Defensive Player of the Year?

Late in the game (as seen in the clip above), Gobert locked down the paint and had Chet Holmgren looking completely clueless. Rudy’s playing with a different kind of passion this season and it shows in that clip.

Related: Rudy Gobert is Who Timberwolves Thought He Was

Can Rudy Gobert win Defensive player of the year? The sportsbooks say yes. According to FanDuel.com, Gobert is a pretty heavy favorite to win his 4th career DPOY.

If Rudy Gobert continues playing at this level, he gives the Wolves the chance to beat any team in the league… maybe even a real shot at a title.

Byron Buxton wins the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award https://t.co/FoljPfI8Nw pic.twitter.com/V4fcYyxU6X

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 11, 2017

Byron Buxton walked away from Friday’s Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards with the night’s highest honor. The Twins CF was named the Defensive Player of the Year Overall.

The NBC Sports piece helps us decipher the three major differences between Wilson’s awards and Gold Gloves:

1. Wilson Awards don’t separate AL/NL. Only one major leaguer, at each position, is chosen. Naturally, Buxton won it at Center.
2. Wilson Awards name a Defensive Player of the Year Overall (AKA Byron).
3. Friday’s awards involve more use of advanced metrics than those of the Golden variety.

Byron Buxton of the @Twins wins the outright Wilson Defensive Player of the Year. Inside Edge rated him as the best defensive player this season.

He made 96% of plays in his zone, the highest of any player in the #MLB

— Inside Edge (@InsideEdgeScout) November 11, 2017

Twins Nation should appreciate the use of these metrics, or at least get used to them. It’s Falvey and Levine’s style. Speed is our 23 year-old outfielders biggest asset. Said asset is weighed HEAVILY into these advanced metrics. Byron Buxton makes tough catches look routine. He makes impossible catches show up on SportsCenter. The young man covers more grass than my Zero-Turn John Deere. Why? GREAT reaction off the bat, DIRECT paths to drop points, and BLAZING speed.

The future is bright for the Minnesota Twins. But, two prospects have stood out among the rest, since being brought into the organization. When discussing the most promising talent org-wide, only two names are mentioned: Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. Last night marked four months since the 2017 Home Run Derby. 120 days, 180 degrees. While Aaron Judge stole the Derby show, it was Miguel Sano who represented Minnesota. July saw Sano praised throughout baseball circuits, while many thought Buxton would never figure it out at the dish. One-third of a year later, the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year, is the most promising person in the Twins organization (@ me about it). He appears to have more than figured out the hitting thing, his only downfall early (see below). Sano, on the other hand, well… there seems to be more questions surrounding his health than there is Pete Rose’s morals.

Johnny Minnesota @mnsportsnstuff
Minnesota Sports FanMinnesotaSportsFan.com

Photo: USATSI