NBA: NBA Awards: Rudy Gobert voted Defensive Player of the Year

Rudy Gobert of Utah Jazz was named Defensive Player of the Year 2018. He prevailed over Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid.

“For me, the defense is not something that really gets noticed – unless you’re a real specialist,” said Gobert at the 2018 NBA Award Show, where he received the award. “But if you give good defense, you’ll help the offense,” he added.

Gobert’s Jazz was one of the positive surprises of the season. Thanks to a final spurt, they finished the Regular Season in 5th place (48-34) and eliminated Oklahoma City Thunder in the first play-off round.

Anthony Davis of the Pelicans and Joel Embiid of the Sixers got nothing at the Award Show. Together with Gobert they were the three final candidates for the Defender of the Year award.