NBA Star DeMarcus Cousins Labels Rudy Gobert as NBA's Most Overrated Player in Recent Interview
On Tuesday night, the Timberwolves faced off against the Lakers in Game 2 of the first round. While Minnesota stunned Los Angeles in Game 1 with a 117-95 victory, Game 2 didn't go as smoothly for the Wolves. They only managed to score 85 points, losing to the Lakers.
After the loss, FanDuel TV studio analyst DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins didn't shy away from expressing his opinions. He called Rudy Gobert, Minnesota's center, the most overrated player in the NBA.
Over his 12-year NBA career, Rudy Gobert has faced a considerable amount of criticism. The 32-year-old is famous for his unyielding defensive intensity. He's not the modern center who can stretch the floor and make threes. Instead, he's a traditional center who plays with his back to the basket and focuses on rebounds.
Gobert has garnered four Defensive Player of the Year awards and four first-team All-NBA selections. Despite averaging double-doubles for the Timberwolves, the effectiveness of his play remains a topic of debate. After Minnesota's defeat on Tuesday, Boogie Cousins shared some intriguing feedback, labeling Gobert as the most overrated player in the league.
This statement contrasted with a poll conducted by The Athletic, which named Tyrese Haliburton as the most overrated player. Cousins argued that a player of Gobert's caliber should not "get played off the floor." His co-host, Lou Williams, attempted to defend Gobert, stating that he was a "former" DPOY. However, this didn't help in justifying Gobert's performance.
Boogie Cousins pointed out that similar conversations about Gobert's overrated status had occurred eight years earlier when he won his first DPOY with Utah. While it's debatable whether Gobert truly fits the "most overrated" title, his questionable offensive performance in the postseason can't be ignored. The upcoming Game 3 between the Lakers and Timberwolves is set for Friday night.
Now, let's delve further into the topic of Rudy Gobert's performance on the court. While his defensive skills, particularly his rim protection, are undeniably impressive, much controversy arises when he faces opponents who challenge him beyond the paint. For instance, his performance against Terance Mann in 2021 and Luka Dončić in a dramatic play were highlighted as areas where he struggled[1][3].
Offensively, Gobert's contributions are limited, and he's primarily viewed as a defensive specialist. Despite this, he holds a high offensive rating of 131.0 in the 2023-24 season, placing him among the league leaders[2]. The primary discussions about his value are centered on whether his defensive strengths outweigh his offensive limitations and his struggles against perimeter defenders[1][3].
- Rudy Gobert, despite his four Defensive Player of the Year awards and four first-team All-NBA selections, continues to face criticism for his offensive limitations.
- After Minnesota's loss to the Lakers, FanDuel TV studio analyst DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins labeled Gobert as the most overrated player in the NBA.
- Gobert's offensive performance in the postseason has been a topic of debate, despite his impressive defensive skills.
- Boogie Cousins argued that a player of Gobert's caliber should not "get played off the floor," a statement that contrasted with a poll conducted by The Athletic, which named Tyrese Haliburton as the most overrated player.
- In past seasons, conversations about Gobert's overrated status have occurred, such as eight years ago when he won his first DPOY with Utah.
- The upcoming Game 3 between the Lakers and Timberwolves is set for Friday night, where Gobert's effectiveness and performance will continue to be scrutinized.
- Although Gobert's defensive skills, like his rim protection, are undeniably impressive, his struggles against opponents who challenge him beyond the paint have been highlighted.
