We are three games into the Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets series, and I can confidently say that I have never seen anyone do what Rudy Gobert is doing right now. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is limiting Nikola Jokic as we've never seen before.
Sure, Jokic is still averaging 25.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. However, he is shooting just 40 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from 3-point range while averaging an uncharacteristic 4.0 turnovers per game. With Gobert as the closest defender, Jokic is shooting just 34.3 percent from the field.
Gobert has matched Jokic's physicality, made every shot challenging for him with his verticality, and mirrored his every move. Undoubtedly, Gobert's amazing one-on-one defense on Jokic has been a key reason why the Wolves are up 2-1. Additionally, Jamal Murray has gone at Gobert in the pick-and-roll, and Gobert has locked him up, holding him to 28.6 percent shooting from the field. So much for the narrative that Gobert isn't versatile and can't defend in one-on-one settings.
Overall, the Nuggets are shooting just 32.7 percent from the field and 35.7 percent within six feet of the hoop with Gobert as the closest defender.
Gobert's defense on Jokic is the most impressive feat of his stellar career
The day after Minnesota's Game 1 loss, Gobert was (foolishly) left off the DPOY finalists; perhaps this gave him an extra edge. In any event, Gobert is offering the perfect response to this snub and adding to his already stellar legacy.
It might sound crazy to say that this series is Gobert's legacy-defining moment, considering that his four DPOYs are tied for the most all-time. Nevertheless, if the trajectory of this series continues, I think that's absolutely the case.
Jokic is arguably the best player in the world. He was the main reason that the Nuggets entered this series as favorites, and stopping him seemed like a truly impossible task. However, Gobert is giving him problems to a degree that nobody else ever has.
It's rare to see a player of this caliber struggle so much, and it's a massive testament to Gobert's defensive greatness.
Gobert's defense has always been elite, but he's never gotten so much mainstream praise. Despite his greatness, Gobert has often been scrutinized on social media and by talking heads in the media. Regardless, Gobert is doing something that even his detractors can't ignore.
Undoubtedly, this series is a crown jewel achievement in Gobert's incredible career, and it should cement his spot as the best defender of this generation. If you don't understand Gobert's defensive greatness by now, I have no clue what to say to you.
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