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Utah Jazz: Who is Rudy Gobert’s competition for Defensive Player of the Year?

By Jared Woodcox

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz attempts to block a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz attempts to block a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 06 Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz blocks the shot of Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets in the first half during Game Four of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 06 Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz blocks the shot of Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets in the first half during Game Four of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Utah Jazz defensive extraordinaire Rudy Gobert won the Defensive Player of the Year Award last season, but he’ll have stiff competition as he looks to defend his crown in 2018-19.

Last season, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert finally won a coveted prize that he’s had his eyes on for several years – the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Despite the fact that he was injured for a significant part of the early season, Gobert made such an impact on defense and helped make his Jazz team so much better that he was still able to come away with the nod.

While I know that Rudy’s goals go much higher than the Defensive Player of the Year or any individual award, I also suspect that he’ll be interested in aiming to defend his title once again. As he looks to set himself apart as the league’s top rim protector and one of the best centers in the game, expect the defensive ace to continue his reign of terror in 2018-19.

However, he’ll be facing stiff competition for the Defensive Player of the Year Award this upcoming season. With a number of elite defensive forces around the league, several players could be in the running as they try to remove the defensive crown from Rudy Gobert. Let’s take a look at those who figure to be among Gobert’s top competition.

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