Wemby: Gobert deserves DPOY, but 'afterward it won't be his turn'
San Antonio Spurs rookie center Victor Wembanyama is coming for Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert's crown as top defender in the league.
At -1000, Gobert is the runaway favorite to win his record-tying fourth Defensive Player of the Year award this season, according to DraftKings. The next closest player is the rookie sensation Wembanyama at +800.
“It certainly interests me, it’s a reward that I want to win in the future," said Wembanyama of the award.
The rookie leads the NBA in blocks this season (3.4 per game) and is 14th in steals (1.3). While Wemby has some impressive numbers for a 20-year-old, Gobert has been utterly dominant defensively for the Wolves this season.
The 31-year-old leads the league in defensive win shares at 4.9; teammate Anthony Edwards and Nuggets center Nikola Jokic are tied for second at 3.9. Wembanyama's 3.2 DWS is good for 11th place. Gobert hauls in the second-most rebounds per game (12.9), behind only Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis.
Gobert also stands out due to spearheading the best defensive unit in the league. The Wolves hold opponents to 106.7 points per game; the Spurs allow the sixth most at 119.9. Minnesota's defensive rating of 108.8 is 2.6 points better than the second-place Cavaliers. That 2.6-point gap is the same gap that separates the second-best rating to the 13th-best rating.
“Rudy (Gobert) has a very good chance of winning it this year. It would be deserved, but let him earn it now because afterward it won't be his turn," Wembanyama finished with a laugh.
The Wolves won the season series between the two teams with a 3-1 record. Gobert put up 14.8 points and grabbed 13.5 rebounds per game while Wembanyama averaged 20.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in those four games.
Feb 27, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) talk after the game at Target Center.
© Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
