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Rudy Gobert-Victor Wembanyama DPOY Debate Gets Perfect Verdict From 8-Time All-Star

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 5/8/24

The debate about who the best defensive player is in the NBA in the 2023-24 NBA season has finally been settled, with Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves winning the Defensive Player of the Year award – again.

Many thought that San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama should have won the award over Gobert but for Dwight Howard, a former multiple-DPOY winner himself, the true winner is France – the native country of both Gobert and Wembanyama.

“Either way it’s a W for France I had Wemby winning but I love to see Gobert win another !” Howard posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Howard also said that there’s nothing to worry about for Wemby despite the Spurs star losing the DPOY award to Gobert.

“I like to see history being made and greatness being achieved ! I lost DPOY one year to someone that was 3rd team all defense while I was first now that’s a real snub but point is Wemby will be alright.”

Rudy Gobert-Victor Wembanyama Finish 1-2 in DPOY Voting

Gobert dominated the voting for the DPOY, as he got 72 first-place votes, while Wemby picked up just 19 to finish runner-up. Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo had a podium finish, going third with three first-place votes.

Unlike Wembanyama and Adebayo, Gobert and his Timberwolves are very much alive in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, with Minnesota up 2-0 in the second-round series against the defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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