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This week has been an eventful one for Rudy Gobert. His Minnesota Timberwolves are currently the favorite to win the Western Conference as they are 2-0 in their series against the Denver Nuggets, the defending NBA champions. Gobert, however, was not available for game two of the series because of the birth of his child. Then, the next day, he was given the Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time in his career. Gobert is just the third player ever to win the award four times.
A playoff series, a baby and a Defensive Player of the Year award all in the same week. Rudy Gobert has been busy. His defense this season is a big reason why the Timberwolves are in the position that they are in, and they will continue to need it in the postseason.
Gobert is honored to have been given the award for a fourth time, and he has now joined an elite group of defenders as Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo are the only other two players to win it four times. Both are in the Hall of Fame.
“It’s a blessing and an honor to join this small group,” Rudy Gobert said, according to an article from ESPN. “These two guys are legends. Every story is unique. I will keep writing mine and try to be the best version of myself every day and enjoy every step of the way. I’m grateful that my teammates and this organization believe in me and allowing me to be who I am. It’s always about the team and pushing each other to give our best every day.”
Rudy Gobert credits his teammates
Rudy Gobert discussed the award on TNT on Tuesday as there were other playoff games taking place, and he gave a lot of credit to his teammates. This Timberwolves squad is an unselfish group, and that’s a big reason why they have been so successful this season.
“It’s great teamwork,” Gobert said. “We love to get individual awards and all these things, and it’s great, but you can’t do it alone. I really have a lot of gratitude for … all my teammates for believing in me, allowing me to do what I do best every day and just try to change the culture here in Minnesota. It’s great for the guys for buying in.”
One thing that has been on full display during this Timberwolves-Nuggets series is the defense of Minnesota. Tuesday especially was an incredible performance, and Gobert, the best defender in the league, wasn’t even there. Defense has been a huge focus for this team since the offseason, and their hard work has paid off.
“This year, training camp, we came Day 1 and said we wanted to be a top defense in this league,” Gobert added. “Every guy has bought in. Everyone has put in the work every single day, and now we’re here with one goal in mind, to try to get this championship. … Great things take time. You guys all know winning is not something that happens overnight. You need to overcome adversity, you need to go through some ups and downs as a group.”
Winning awards like this is great, but there is one trophy that Gobert and this Timberwolves squad have their eyes on. They want to win it all, and after winning the first two games of their series against Denver, it looks like they certainly have a fighting chance to do it.
Game three between the Timberwolves and Nuggets will take place on Friday night at 9:30 ET. The game will be at home for Minnesota, and it will be airing on ESPN.
More must-reads:
- Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
- Watch: Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton has big first half vs. Knicks
- The 'Most triple-doubles in the postseason' quiz
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