Poll shows how hated Rudy Gobert is by NBA players

Rudy Gobert is one of the most dominant defensive players in the NBA and has been for over half a decade. His accomplishments speak for themselves: three-time Defensive Player of the Year, six All-Defensive team selections, four All-NBA selections, and three-time All-Star.

But despite his track record of success and status as a lockdown defender, it is clear that he is not a player that is universally embraced by his peers. This was made clear in a recent poll conducted by The Athletic (subscription required).

In this survey, 108 anonymous NBA players were asked about various hot topics pertaining to the league. Players were free to speak their mind on touchy subjects without fear of public criticism, and several interesting answers were revealed. The results of multiple questions revealed NBA players’ disdain for Rudy Gobert.

NBA players do not recognize Gobert as one of the best defenders in the NBA.

One of the questions asked to these 108 players was who they thought the best defender in the league was. Jrue Holiday was the leading vote-getter with 28.7% of players voting for him. 22 other players received votes, but not one vote was for Rudy Gobert.

Players like Kris Dunn, Isaac Okoro and Jalen Suggs received votes in this category, but not the Minnesota Timberwolves’ starting center. For the record, Rudy Gobert is one of just four players in NBA history to have won at least three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and just completed a season averaging 11.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

It is clear that he still belongs in this conversation, no matter how much you want to argue he regressed in his first season in Minnesota. But more than 100 NBA players did not feel like mentioning Rudy in this discussion for one reason or another.

Rudy Gobert is viewed as overrated by his peers.

To add insult to injury, the only poll where Gobert did receive votes was in response to the question of who the most overrated player is. Rudy was tied for the fourth most votes and accounted for 5.6% of the total vote, with the leading vote-getter being Trae Young.

It is possible that other NBA players view Rudy Gobert this way due to his limited offensive game. Not having an expansive offensive repertoire as a big is certainly something that is more looked down on now than in eras past.

Other reasons that Gobert is seen this way could include his image in the media. He has been the subject of criticism for things like his role in the shutdown of the league due to Covid-19 in 2020, as well as his reaction to being snubbed from the All-Star game in 2019.

Regardless of the reason his peers view him this way, this should serve as more motivation for Rudy Gobert as the playoffs continue. Hopefully, he will remember the disrespect as the Timberwolves look to keep things interesting with the Denver Nuggets.