Rudy Gobert responds to Draymond Green's criticism after winning DPOY / News - Basketnews.com

Gobert says he feels better this year in Minnesota than during the last season. Despite receiving much criticism, he praised Draymond Green for his achievements.

Credit: David Berding/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit David Berding/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Rudy Gobert won his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award last night. After learning about the news, the French center talked about the achievement.

Minnesota Timberwolves / Schedule

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The Minnesota Timberwolves big man's fourth DPOY trophy ties Dikembe Mutombo (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001) and Ben Wallace (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) for the NBA record for most such awards.

"It's an incredible honor. When I arrived in the NBA in 2013, I never imagined this. I wanted to be respected, to earn my place. To become a real NBA player, in short. It happened step by step until the day I realized that I had it in me, that I could become the best defender in the world," Gobert told Maxime Aubin from L'Equipe. "This is what I have become today. This title is very prestigious, but above all, it represents the values that define me: determination, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork."

The Timberwolves mark first in the league in opponent field goal percentage and opponent points per game. Gobert arrived in Minnesota in 2022 after a highly-criticized trade that sent a multitude of first-round picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Gobert.

He admits - he wasn't at 100% last season.

"I already feel much better physically than last year. When I arrived in Minnesota, I wasn't necessarily 100% and I was discovering a new team. All of this takes time," Gobert said. "Regarding my game, I find it easier to be able to defend on the perimeter, to guard pick and rolls and switch. I also have a better overview of opposing attacks."

Both Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace, who also won the DPOY trophy four times, ultimately became Hall of Famers. Asked whether he thinks he will be enshrined as well, Gobert didn't want to boldly claim it.

3-pointers this season

39%12,6Points made:12,6Accuracy:38,6%Place in standings:16Record max:21Record min:5Most made 3FGs:Anthony EdwardsTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

"I don't know. In any case, I am far from having finished and having shown everything. More than the rewards, my goal is really to continue writing my story and to have no regrets at the end," the center said. "I will continue to fight every day to be the best player and the best person I can be. And when it's time to count the rings and medals, we will."

Gobert has been in a public beef with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, with Green criticizing the Frenchman for a multitude of things, the latest of which was Gobert's absence in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets due to the birth of his firstborn child.

Green even put Gobert in a headlock during an NBA regular-season game this season.

"Ah, we'll see," Gobert said about Draymond earning as many DPOY titles. "But he still won four championship titles. All in all, everyone goes their own way and each adventure is different. Draymond has accomplished some great things in his career. Like me, he's someone who's always been underestimated, and he managed to fight to become what he became."

"I have enormous respect for his career, for everything he has accomplished as an athlete. I think we even share certain values ​​that make us special," Gobert said. "Then, whether he said and did certain things... It's his choice. It's his business. I continue to move forward."

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