The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is one of the league’s most prestigious honors, recognizing the top defensive player each season. This award celebrates players who excel at stopping opponents, creating turnovers, and anchoring their teams defensively. The DPOY award has been a hot topic lately, especially after comments from Shaquille O’Neal and Rudy Gobert. On a recent episode of The OGs Show, co-host Udonis Haslem shared his insights on DPOY winners.
Haslem criticized some past winners, especially Rudy Gobert, who has won the award three times. He said, “When you take home the Defensive Player of the Year trophy, there’s an expectation from you. That’s just what it f***ing comes with.” Haslem believes that a player who receives this award should meet high standards on their own, without depending on teammates.
Udonis Haslem added, “The Defensive Player of the Year should be able to guard his f***ing yard every single time against somebody, whether it be the best player in the NBA or the worst f***ing player in the NBA.” This shows Haslem’s view that a good defender should not need help and should not be targeted in crucial situations.
Although Haslem’s comments weren’t just about Gobert, he used him as an example to make his point. He stated, “If you got that f***ing trophy, ain’t nobody be looking at you talking about you need some help.” This reflects a broader frustration in the basketball community about the expectations for top defenders.
Udonis Haslem Drives Debate On Defensive Excellence In The NBA
Udonis Haslem also mentioned players who fit his idea of a DPOY, naming his former teammate Bam Adebayo. He thinks Adebayo deserves recognition for effectively guarding different positions and making a difference on defense.
The debate about DPOY winners has grown this offseason, partly due to O’Neal’s criticisms of Gobert’s defensive skills. O’Neal has questioned whether Gobert can defend top players, casting doubt on his status as a leading defender in the league.
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This conversation reveals that people have differing opinions on defensive statistics and how the NBA evaluates players. While Gobert has impressive stats that back up his awards—like helping his team achieve one of the best defensive ratings—critics like O’Neal argue that numbers alone don’t show a player’s real defensive value.
Also Read: Dwight Howard Takes Shots At Rudy Gobert Over Undeserving DPOY Awards He Has Won Over The Years
