By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Rudy Gobert was included in the list of the Defensive Player of the Year finalists along with Mikal Bridges and Marcus Smart.
The French center won the award three times so far in his NBA career and his teammate Donovan Mitchell won’t be surprised if Gobert wins it again.
“Are you surprised? I’m not. This is something he’s been doing since I got here. He’s a guy that protects the rim, great defensively. I believe he’s going to win it. I think we all believe that, I think he believes that, and I think the biggest thing is he’s showing it,” Mitchell said and pointed to Rudy’s impact in Game 1 of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.
“Like last game, I think that was the epitome of who he is. What did he have, one shot, two shots last game? And he was one of the most impactful players in the game defensively. And I think that just shows who he is as a player. And he’s grown each year. I hope it’s not a result of voter fatigue, where he doesn’t get the award because he’s been doing it for so long.”