Longevity rightfully gets brought up a ton when discussing the best NBA players. However, one player who doesn't get enough credit for his impressive longevity is Rudy Gobert. Big men tend to decline quicker than other positions, and entering his age-33 season, it was fair to wonder if we could start to see Gobert's play drop off a bit. This was especially a fair concern given that Gobert has never been an elite offensive player.
Other than a slowish start to the season, though, we haven't seen any decline from Gobert on both ends of the court.
In fact, it could be argued that this is the best defensive season of his career. Needless to say, that's a high bar for the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, but that's a testament to how impactful he has been this season. Gobert's 15-point on/off defensive swing is the best mark of his career, and it ranks in the 100th percentile. Once again, Gobert is anchoring a top-10 defense.
Offensively, Gobert has never been a high usage big man, but he is extremely efficient. Notably, Gobert's 71.7 field goal percentage currently leads the league, and he is averaging a respectable 11 points per game. Whether it's crashing the glass, setting screens, or rolling to the rim for dunks, Gobert finds a way to make an impact on offense.
Night in and night out, the Timberwolves know what to expect from Gobert, which is a true luxury for the team. My larger point, though, is that Gobert's ability to sustain success nearing his mid-30s is incredibly impressive and rare for a 7-footer.
Gobert's longevity is rare for a big man
Star big men such as Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis have shown clear signs of decline in their early 30s. Yes, injuries have played a significant role for both players, some of which have simply been freak accidents. However, Gobert deserves credit for his incredible conditioning -- which has undoubtedly allowed him to maintain his success late into his career.
Even a player like Myles Turner has shown signs of regression as he inches closer to 30 years old. Clint Capela was never an All-Star-level player like Gobert, and even though he's two years younger than Rudy, he doesn't look like a rotational player anymore.
Gobert, maintaining his elite rim protection and still being able switch on to the perimeter if need be, is a remarkable feat. And yes, Gobert can switch on to the perimeter -- opponents are shooting just 40.8 percent from the field on isolation plays against Rudy per NBA.com.
Plus, as mentioned, Gobert makes a well-rounded impact on offense as a scorer, screener, and rebounder. His ability to provide energy at age 33 is also impressive. While Gobert's minutes have been slightly lowered to 31.7 minutes per game, this is still a solid mark for a 33-year-old big man.
Overall, Gobert's ability to make a strong impact on both ends of the court at his advanced age is an outstanding feat that doesn't get mentioned enough.