After Shaquille O’Neal stated that he would wear a dress to the ceremony if Rudy Gobert ever gets enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, many people debated whether the Frenchman should eventually get in. His career certainly isn’t over yet. Now 33 years old, Gobert has three years remaining on his deal, the third being a player option. If Rudy Gobert retired today though, he’s already done enough to be a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
If He Doesn’t Backtrack, Shaq Will Be Wearing A Dress
Won 4 Defensive Player of the Year Awards
Let’s start with the accolade that has become synonymous with Gobert’s name. The 7-foot-1 center has won the award four times in his career. That is tied for the most in NBA history along with Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo, both of whom are enshrined in Springfield.
The ‘Stifle Tower’ also has nine finishes in the top-seven of Defensive Player of the Year voting. That is the same amount as Mutombo and two more than Wallace. Gobert has a career scoring average (12.6) that is higher than both. While that number could go down later in his career, it should remain above Mutombo’s 9.8.
League Leader In A Few Categories In His Career
Look at the back of Gobert’s basketball card, and you’ll see a bunch of bold ink. The 2013 first round pick has led the league in field goal percentage three times, rebounding once, and blocks once. His 67.3% true shooting is actually the highest in NBA history.
The 12-year veteran has also been a double-double machine. He has averaged one in points and rebounds in each of the last nine seasons. It’s not like he’s barely reached double-digits in both categories either. Last season’s 12.0 points per game was his lowest during that stretch, and he’s averaged at least 10.7 boards each year.
Gobert will continue to move up career leaderboards as well. His 9,700 rebounds are the 45th-most in NBA history, while his 1,718 blocks are the 30th-most.
Annually A Playoff Participant
No, Gobert does not have a ring (yet). It’s not like he’s been sitting home during the playoffs though. With the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, he has experienced postseason basketball in each of the last nine years. In five of them, Gobert’s team has advanced through at least one round. The last two has seen his Minnesota team reach the Western Conference finals.
Let’s also mention Gobert’s eight All-Defensive nods, the first seven of which saw him put on the first team. Sports fans often state how the Basketball Hall of Fame is the easiest of the major sports halls to get into. With Rudy Gobert likely still having a few more productive seasons left in him, he’s a surefire future member.
Photo credit: © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
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