“People don’t value what Rudy brings to the table” – Kendrick Perkins defends Rudy Gobert’s impact on defense, saying fans and analysts don’t appreciate him enough originally appeared on Basketball Network.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins defended Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert amidst another verbal assault from Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.
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O’Neal has always been critical about the amount of money that Gobert has made in his NBA career because, in his eyes, Rudy’s game has not been commensurate with his salary. In the recent episode of “The Big Podcast,” Shaq admitted that he hates Rudy and doesn’t think he will make it to the Hall of Fame. But “Big Perk” thinks otherwise.
“Rudy is who he is,” said Perkins. “If Ben Wallace got into the Hall of Fame, Rudy is going to the Hall of Fame. I know Ben Wallace has a ring, but if you match them up side by side, when we are talking about accolades, both are four-time Defensive Player of the Year, that’s a huge fu–– ng impact. Rudy just got to get over that hump.”
The lack of a ring should not hinder Gobert from making the Hall
Wallace won the 2004 NBA championship as the defensive anchor of the Detroit Pistons. But if you compare their stats, Rudy has the edge over Ben except in steals and blocked shots, and the difference in the latter isn’t that much. Wallace also had one more All-Star and All-NBA team appearance than Gobert, but other than those, that championship ring is the big difference between their careers.
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However, the Timberwolves have made back-to-back Western Conference Finals, and if Anthony Edwards continues to improve, who knows if Gobert can finally win that elusive Larry O’Brien trophy. Even then, the absence of a title in his career should not hinder him from making the Hall, as has been the case with many who were given the orange jacket in Springfield. But then the Rudy hate isn’t just about making the Hall of Fame or not.
“We don’t value what Rudy brings to the table. Because they don’t see how much ground he covers or how many drives he stopped without having to fu—ng block the shot or whatever the case may be. The point is, the man has been more than a star in his role, found his space in the NBA, and he’s dominated at it. The facts are that the man has four Defensive Player of the Year. That’s who he is,” added Big Perk.
Not all Rudy does appear on his individual stat line
At 7’1″, Gobert isn’t the elite shot-blocker that a guy his size and stature thinks he would be. He’s led the league in blocks only once, and his career blocks average of 2.1 is inferior to Wallace’s 2.3. Anthony Davis’ career average is also 2.3 blocks per game, and he’s never been a DPOY winner. But as Perkins said, defense isn’t just about steals and blocking shots.
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Gobert last won the DPOY in 2024, when many wanted Victor Wembanyama to win the award. While Wemby led the league in blocks, Gobert was the NBA leader in defensive rating and defensive win shares. That season, the Wolves ranked 1st in the league in defensive rating and points per game allowed. Those do not appear on his individual stats but were essential to the team’s success. Minnesota won 56 games last season, the most wins by the Wolves since 2003-04, when they won 58.
Shaq will always have his opinion about Rudy, but no matter what he says, the numbers don’t lie. Gobert is no dominant force like he was or like what he wants him to be. But as Perkins said, the Frenchman has found his niche in the league. And whether it’s altering shots or forcing turnovers with his defensive presence, Gobert plays winning defense, and the numbers don’t lie.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.