Former NBA star questions Rudy Gobert's DPOY credentials

Rudy Gobert is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year . The 7-foot-1 big man has long been seen as one of the NBA's best rim protectors. Three of his four DPOY selections came during his tenure with the Utah Jazz, where Quin Snyder had developed a system that funneled ball-handlers into the paint.

In recent years, offenses have figured out how to manipulate Gobert, though. They put him in high pick-and-roll action, forcing him to guard closer to the perimeter. His lack of hip flexibility and limited lateral quickness ensure he struggles to protect the rim after being beaten off the bounce.

Given Gobert's obvious shortcomings when guarding outside of the paint, former NBA champion Dwight Howard doesn't believe Gobert deserves to have been crowned Defensive Player of the Year.

“He’s 7-2, so when you’re 7-2 and you’re playing with athletic guys, you don’t have to do nothing but clean up their mistakes or just being big in the paint,” Howard said during a recent episode of the "Gil's Arena" podast. "I don’t see him being an elite defender. I feel like he’s a great team defender, but for what he did to get those Defensive Player of the Years, I don’t see it.”

Since being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Gobert is a part of an elite double-big lineup. He shares defensive responsibility with Karl-Anthony Towns , which has helped cover up for some of his mistakes when getting drawn out of the paint.

When tasked with protecting the paint, Gobert is still a reliable presence . His size and wingspan make him a legitimate shot deterrent, forcing teams to think twice before attempting to pressure or attack the rim. More is needed for him to be seen as a best-in-class defensive presence, though.

Howard's comments are fair in that light.