Kevin Garnett’s impassioned defense of Victor Wembanyama’s candidacy for the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award has ignited a debate within the basketball community. On “The Truth & The Ticket” show, Garnett vehemently argued that Wembanyama, despite being a rookie, deserved the accolade over Rudy Gobert, the eventual recipient.
“That boy should’ve won a defensive player of the year. I’m just saying. Lord, listen. The league do too much. Oh, he was a rookie. Man, f**k that. If you prove that you can do the job, then you get the job, right?”
“Man, he should’ve did the, and we ain’t seen that type of effect on the defensive end since who, P? Who’s affected? Man, David Robinson, Dikembe, Dream, who got the rim like that, bro he earned that no disrespect to any other person in the league.”
“This is my opinion I thought he did enough and he showed enough consistently to win that award. Regardless of your f**king status or where you at and in your what year you in Man, if I was Wemby, I’d come back and block five shots next year, n***a. Y’all got me f**ked up. Changed this award to the Wemby Award.”
“[Victor Wembanyama] should have won DPOY, too… The league do too much, 'aww, he was a [rookie]’. Man, f*ck that!… If I was Wemby, I’d come back and block 5 shots next year… You got me f*cked up.”
— Kevin Garnett 👀
(via @allthesmokeprod)pic.twitter.com/TYwkaD0M51
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 25, 2024
Garnett’s assertion stems from Wembanyama’s exceptional defensive prowess throughout the season, which he believes eclipsed that of any other player in the league.
Garnett’s stance is clear: merit should outweigh seniority or experience when it comes to awarding individual accolades. He contends that if a player demonstrates the ability to excel in a specific role, such as anchoring a team’s defense, then they should be duly recognized, regardless of their rookie status.
In Garnett’s view, Wembanyama’s impact on the defensive end was unparalleled, evoking memories of defensive stalwarts like David Robinson, Dikembe Mutombo, and Hakeem Olajuwon. Wembanyama’s ability to dominate the paint, alter shots, and protect the rim, as evidenced by his impressive block and steal percentages, set him apart as a defensive force to be reckoned with.
Statistical comparisons between Wembanyama and Gobert reveal a nuanced picture of their defensive contributions. While Gobert boasted superior defensive win shares (5.6 to 4.2) and a slightly lower defensive rating (105.7 to 107.8), Wembanyama excelled in categories like defensive box plus/minus (3.2 to 1.7), blocks percentage (10.0% to 5.5%), and steals percentage (2.1% to 0.9%).
Wembanyama’s historic season further bolsters Garnett’s argument. Averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks while shooting 46.5% from the floor and 32.5% from 3-point range, Wembanyama showcased an impressive all-around game that extended beyond defense.
His offensive versatility coupled with his defensive prowess made him a standout performer throughout the season, as he was named the Rookie of the Year by a unanimous vote.
In contrast, Gobert’s statistical contributions were more modest, averaging 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.1 blocks while shooting 66.1% from the field and 0.0% from 3-point range.
Wembanyama’s individual brilliance stood out amidst his team’s lackluster performance as they finished with the second-worst record in the Western Conference (22-60), with the Spurs ranking 21st in defensive rating compared to the Timberwolves‘ league-leading defensive prowess.
However, Gobert’s case for the DPOY award is not without merit. As the anchor of the league’s best defense, Gobert played a pivotal role in the Timberwolves’ success, leading them to the third-best win-loss record in the Western Conference (56-26). His elite shot-blocking ability and defensive presence in the paint were instrumental in deterring opponents and disrupting their offensive flow.
While Wembanyama showcased remarkable potential and individual brilliance, Gobert’s impact on team success cannot be overlooked, especially given the correlation between defensive performance and overall team success.
Ultimately, the DPOY debate encapsulates the subjective nature of individual awards in basketball. While statistics provide valuable insights, factors such as team performance, individual roles, and intangible contributions also come into play.
Garnett’s impassioned defense of Wembanyama highlights the significance of recognizing emerging talents and challenging conventional narratives in the basketball world. Whether Wembanyama’s rookie status should have precluded him from contention for the DPOY award remains a topic of spirited discussion among fans and analysts alike.
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