DeMarcus Cousins didn’t hold back when asked who he believed was the most overrated player in the NBA. On a recent episode of Run It Back on FanDuel TV, the former All-Star center aimed squarely at four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, calling out the Minnesota Timberwolves big man for his repeated playoff struggles.
“My biggest issue is having a guy like Giannis or Trae Young going there. I think they’re obviously great in their own right. I disagree with Halliburton being the most overrated. The guy we just had a 10-minute segment on about his defense.”
“That’s Rudy, man. It’s pretty clear. You can’t be a four-time defensive player of the year and get played off the floor. The thing is, when he won the award, the same thing was happening in the same year.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. Gobert’s limitations in playoff settings have become an annual discussion point. While he thrives in regular-season systems designed to protect the paint, his struggles against stretch lineups and guard-heavy offenses in the postseason are well-documented.
Teams frequently drag him into the perimeter, where he gets exposed in switch-heavy schemes, a glaring weakness for a player with four DPOY trophies. It echoes a sentiment long held by many in the league, that Gobert’s value dips sharply when the game slows down and becomes about adaptability.
Statistically, Gobert still puts up solid numbers, posting 12.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks this season. He won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award last season, reinforcing his regular-season impact.
But just weeks later, he was once again targeted and run off the court by quicker, smaller lineups in the postseason. The discrepancy between award recognition and playoff performance continues to tarnish his defensive legacy.
What makes Cousins’ commentary more biting is the timing. Gobert was exposed in Game 2 of the Timberwolves’ first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, with Luka Doncic repeatedly hunting him in pick-and-roll situations.
Doncic scored 31 points, dished out nine assists, and led the Lakers to a crucial victory much of it by attacking Gobert at will.
The criticism stands in contrast to the recent player poll conducted by The Athletic, where Tyrese Haliburton was voted the most overrated player in the league. Cousins quickly dismissed that, arguing Haliburton’s leadership and efficiency should earn him more respect.
But when it came to Gobert, Cousins didn’t mince words as he believes Rudy has long benefitted from a reputation built on numbers that don’t translate when it matters most.
As the series heads to Minnesota, the pressure mounts for Gobert. If he hopes to shed the label Cousins and others have attached to him, he’ll have to show that his impact doesn’t end with the regular season stat sheet but extends deep into playoff battles where reputations are truly forged.
