“A One-End Player”: Shannon Sharpe and Dwight Howard Argue Over Rudy Gobert’s True Defensive Potential

Fans are divided over Rudy Gobert.

Some say his numerous accolades evince his value, while others claim the Minnesota Timberwolves surrendered too much and acquired an incomplete player.Goberts defensive prowess is undeniable, but hes been on the wrong end of some highlight-worthy shots from players such as Luka Doncic and Steph Curry.

Thats hurt his reputation, as did going viral in more ways than one when the NBA shut down at the beginning of the COVID epidemic.Shannon Sharpe and Dwight Howard went back and forth as they tried to ascertain Goberts true value on the most recent episode of Nightcap.

Howard thought Goberts four DPOYs tied for the most with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace give him a rightful status.

Sharpe disagreed and blasted Minnesota for giving up so much to get him.I was shocked that Minnesota gave up what they gave up to get Gobert, Sharpe said of the four first-round picks and a first-round swap they sent to the Jazz in 2022.

Because hes a one-end player.

He can only play at the defensive end.

And you cant play him in the fourth quarter unless youre playing the Lakers.Sharpe classified Gobert as more of a help defender and not someone who can shut the best players down one-on-one.

Thats why he doesnt put The Stifle Towers defensive acumen on the same level as someone like Goberts countryman Victor Wembanyama or Hakeem Olajuwon.What is Rudy Goberts true value?Sharpe and Howard are both biased in their arguments.

Gobert just helped eliminate Sharpes Lakers in the first-round of the playoffs, ironically in the same five games Sharpe said the Lakers were going to win.

Howard put extra stock in DPOYs.

As someone who has three himself, its natural for him to put more weight on defense.Pretty much everyone around the NBA believed the Wolves overpaid for Gobert.

Comparing what they gave up for him to what other teams gave up for players of similar or higher standing, its tough to argue.

When you go by the results on the court, however, its impossible to deny Goberts impact.The Wolves are coming off two straight conference finals appearances for the first time in their history.

While much of that can be attributed to the rise of Anthony Edwards, just as much credit needs to be given to the fact that Minnesota has developed one of the strongest defensive identities in the league.That doesnt happen without Gobert.

And while hes not an offensive dynamo, he did average 12 points a game for the ninth straight season.

Thats not nothing, which is why its unfair for Sharpe to call him a one-end player.

Its not like hes Bismack Biyombo.Sharpe cuts down Gobert by saying he isnt Wemby or Olajuwon, but then again, who is? Weve never seen a young player with Wembys skill set before, and Olajuwon is arguably the best center of all-time.

Thats a high bar.

Just because Gobert doesnt clear that doesnt mean he isnt valuable.As Howard said, Hes 7-2, you cant teach height, and hes right.

Sharpes Lakers just found that out the hard way.If you had told the Wolves when they traded for Gobert that they would get to within one series of the NBA Finals two years in a row, they would have absolutely taken it.Edwards is still only 23, which is still extremely young for the best player on a title hopeful.

As he continues to mature, and if the Wolves can add one final piece in the trade market (maybe Kevin Durant, whom Sharpe speculated about), they could take the next step.Gobert isnt the kind of player to blow you away with his stats, but his impact on the game is undeniable, and his teams win.

Thats what matters, and its why the Wolves have gotten the last laugh on their supposed overpay of a trade.

Is Gobert a superstar? No, but the Wolves have gotten what they paid for and then some.The post A One-End Player: Shannon Sharpe and Dwight Howard Argue Over Rudy Goberts True Defensive Potential appeared first on The SportsRush..

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