NBA Legend Dwight Howard Sends Heartfelt Message to Rudy Gobert

The 7-1 French native joins Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the only four-time winners of the award, presented annually since the 1982-83 season.

Gobert is also the first player to win Defensive Player of the Year with the Timberwolves.”

Gobert is in his second season with the Timberwolves.

He finished the regular season averaging 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 66.1% from the field in 76 games.

The Timberwolves were also the third seed in the Western Conference with a 56-26 record.

After Gobert won the award, NBA legend Dwight Howard sent a heartfelt message (via X).

Howard wrote: “Congratulations Rudy ❗️ From one DPOY to another, I will say this was the best defense I’ve seen out of all the other times you won! Get that ring this year then go for another one and be the only one with 5 I tell you all that retreat into Darkness will turn you into a different animal 💯”

Congratulations Rudy ❗️From one DPOY to another, I will say that this was the best defense I have seen out of all the other times you won! Get this ring this year, then go for another and be the only one to get 5! I tell you all that retreat into darkness will transform you into another…

-Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) May 7, 2024

Howard won the Defensive Player of the Year award three times as a member of the Orlando Magic.

Currently, Gobert and the Timberwolves have a 2-0 lead over the Denver Nuggets in their second round playoff series.

Game 3 will take place Friday night in Minnesota.