For years, it has seemed like the cool thing to do is disparage Rudy Gobert’s career. Part of that stems from hearing Shaquille O’Neal and Draymond Green constantly put the man down for asinine reasons and simply because they don’t like him. The Minnesota Timberwolves were said to have overpaid for Gobert in their trade with the Utah Jazz in 2022.
On Monday morning, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic posted his Basketball Hall of Fame tiers for 2026. He doesn’t list Gobert as a lock but instead as a near lock.
I don’t want to go after Vorkunov too much. He’s essentially saying that Gobert, in all likelihood, will make his way into Springfield. Vorkunov writes in the tiers article:
“It makes sense that Gobert will be a controversial Hall of Fame candidate because he has been a controversial player. He has won four Defensive Player of the Year awards, made three All-Star teams, twice led the league in blocks, and is generally recognized as one of the best defensive players of his era. But to borrow from Rodney Dangerfield, he gets no respect. With a résumé like that, Gobert should likely get in, especially when you include his international accomplishments (two Olympic silver medals), but it’s hard to say that definitively.”
Vorkunov also lists Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Jalen Brunson as near locks. They would all be surefire Hall of Famers if they retired today, even though the latter two aren’t quite 30 years old.
Gobert is a no doubt HOFer
Being a near lock is still better than the disrespect Gobert receives from others who don’t see one of the all-time great rim protectors as a Hall of Famer. Infamously, O’Neal said last year that he would wear a dress to the ceremony if Gobert were elected (we’re counting on you to keep your word, Diesel).
Gobert is just one of three players—along with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace—to be named Defensive Player of the Year four times. His eight All-Defensive First Team appearances are tied for the fifth-most ever. One more would put him in a tie for first with Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan, and Gary Payton.
The 34-year-old has led the league in field-goal percentage four times, as well as in rebounds and blocks per game once apiece. For 10 straight seasons, Gobert has averaged a double-double in points and rebounds.
The only way Gobert won’t be a first-ballot Hall of Famer is if something crazy happens, such as his retiring in the same year as numerous players, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, and James Harden. In that case, he might have to wait a year.
Otherwise, Gobert is a Basketball Hall of Fame lock. Gobert is still going strong, as evidenced by another All-Defensive First Team selection last season, so he remains a vital piece for the Wolves.
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