NBA Awards 2019: 3 reasons why Rudy Gobert should win the Defensive Player of the Year Award

#2 By the stats

Utah Jazz v Houston Rockets - Game Five

Gobert’s contributions to the Utah Jazz’s efforts defensively can be tracked by hard numbers as well as inspirationally. If for example, you consider his 3.8 offensive rebounds per game this season as transitional defense, it helps alter the speed and pace of the opposition’s play. Ultimately opponents cannot fast break and must keep defenders under the backboards to prevent Utah from getting second-chance opportunities.

Those rebounds not only create extra scoring chances but prevents opponents leaking out on Utah’s missed shots and having to face a set Utah defense.

There is also the fact that Gobert grabbed nearly 13 rebounds and averaged 2.3 blocks with 0.8 steals per game. This equates to 16 possessions or close to a minimum of 32 points that Gobert saves Utah when he’s on the floor.

Gobert averaged 31.8 minutes per game this season so he saves Utah at least 1 point per minute with his defensive effectiveness. It does not matter whether he makes the thankless hustle plays or trackable stats, Gobert is a defensive giant.