The J-Notes
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 04: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers blocks a shot by Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of a preseason game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on October 4, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 04: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers blocks a shot by Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of a preseason game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on October 4, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Victor Oladipo

This one may come as a bit of a surprise to some, but don’t sleep on Victor Oladipo nor on his defensive impact. Oladipo earned All-NBA Defensive First Team Honors last season, and for good reason.

He led the NBA in steals with an astounding 2.4 per contest. Victor Oladipo was a consistent irritant when placed on opposing guards, as he forced them into difficult shots, or simply took the ball away from them completely with his quick hands or craftiness in passing lanes. Not only that, but Oladipo proved himself as deceptively good at blocking shots for a guard, putting up nearly a block per contest.

Not only that, but Oladipo drastically made his Indiana Pacers team better on defense when he was on the court, with a defensive rating nearly eight points per 100 possessions better with Victor in action rather than sidelined.

He’s probably among the most darkhorse options on this list, but make no mistake that he deserves consideration. As Oladipo continues to be a steals king, lock down opponents on the perimeter and swat shots away, even from much taller opponents, expect him to continue to be on the radar for the All-NBA Defensive Team and possibly to even challenge for the DPOY crown.

Home/Jazz News