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Gobert's Defense Outshines Rodman's Offense, Says Expert
12 Sep
Summary
- Rudy Gobert's defensive prowess is often overshadowed by offensive limitations.
- An expert argued Gobert's pick-and-roll involvement is underappreciated.
- Gobert has a longer career of double-digit scoring than Rodman.
In today's NBA, elite defensive players with offensive shortcomings often face criticism. Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, finds his legacy impacted by this trend. However, his offensive contributions, particularly in pick-and-roll plays, are being recognized as a significant, though underappreciated, aspect of his game.
This perspective even suggests Gobert could eventually be deemed a better offensive player than Dennis Rodman, a two-time DPOY. While Gobert isn't a prolific scorer like Nikola Jokic, he has consistently averaged double-digit points for a decade, including several seasons above 15.0 points per game.
In contrast, Rodman averaged double-digit scoring only once in his 14-year career. Gobert's career-high scoring is 35 points in the regular season and 27 in the playoffs, exceeding Rodman's respective career highs of 34 and 23. This statistical comparison supports the argument that dismissing Gobert solely on offensive deficits is unwarranted.
Gobert's offensive game, while different from modern seven-footers like Victor Wembanyama who showcase ball-handling and shooting, is efficient. His scoring is concentrated near the rim, built on repeatable actions. Despite a lower usage rate, his high efficiency and effectiveness in transition make him a valuable player. This low-usage, high-efficiency profile is what warrants greater appreciation, according to proponents of this view.
