As the NBA regular season draws to a close, observers and fans start talking about the season’s winners. One such prize that has divided the basketball world into two camps is the Defensive Player of the Year award. One group supports Victor Wembanyama to win, while the other supports Rudy Gobert to win. Shaquille O’Neal has his cards in both pockets because he thinks Gobert will win the trophy even though Wembanyama is deserving.
Shaquille O’Neal, Adam Lefkoe, Candace Parker, and Jamal Crawford debated Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama’s race for Defensive Player of the Race on the most recent TNT Tuesday program.
Even though the panel was unable to come to a consensus, O’Neal thought that Wemby “as a single individual” should have received the defense prize. Shaq also didn’t appear impressed with the youngster from the San Antonio Spurs, saying that despite being 7 feet 5 inches tall, he should be a good defender.
“I’m not discrediting, the dude Is 7’5”, he’s supposed to be blocking shots. As a single individual, him playing defense, Defensive Player of the Year, yes,” Shaq said.
Shaq delved deeply into the Gobert vs. Wembanyama debate, asking whether the superior defensive player should receive the award regardless of their team’s record.
Shaq asked, “His team does not have a winning record, so does that disqualify him as being the Defensive Player of the Year… if his team is not winning?”
Victor Wembanyama or Gobert ? What the stats say
When it comes to a superior individual defensive performance, the 20-year-old outperforms his fellow national. Wemby has been averaging an incredible 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game, according to Statmuse, whereas the big man for the Minnesota Timberwolves has only managed 2.1 blocks and 0.6 steals per game.
Wembanyama clearly possesses the more striking statistics in this case. It is also possible to say that Gobert has played a major role in the Wolves’ NBA-best defensive rating. On the other hand, the Texas team is among the worst six franchises for the same reason despite Victor’s accomplishments.
Victor Wembanyama in action
The Big Aristotle is not justified in expecting Wembanyama to be a brilliant defensive back just because he is 7 feet 5 inches tall, regardless of who may be the most suitable candidate. The former player for the Los Angeles Lakers is just coming across as a hater when he keeps criticizing Wemby all season long.
