Ben Simmons Says Gobert Isn’t A Top Five Defensive Player: Is He Right?

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – NBA players have found a new outlet for gossip in light of the coronavirus outbreak that has sidelined the league. Twitch.tv, the popular video game streaming website has become a go-to for NBA gamers to pull back the curtain and let the public viewer into their private life. On Thursday, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons said during a Twitch stream that he didn’t believe Utah Jazz center and twice reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert was a top-five defensive player in the NBA.

Is he right?

First, it’s important to provide context to Simmons’ criteria. This is what the 76ers All-Star had to say.

“I look at [Anthony Davis] and think he’s a better defender than Gobert because he can defend guards at times,” Simmons said speaking to another Twitch streamer.

Then, the fellow streamer helps Simmons fill in the rest of his list.

“AD number one, then Kawhi [Leonard] number two,” the streamer begins, “Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” before Simmons interrupts saying he’d put himself in the top five as well.

“I didn’t say Rudy though,” Simmons interjects, “I put Patrick [Beverley] in there.” After more interaction with the streamer, Simmons finishes, “I play ball, I’m looking at guys who can guard one through five.”

Ben Simmons lists Anthony Davis as the best defender in the NBA; along with his list of top 5 defenders👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/5tW7rEAcnz

— Ball Realm (@TheBallRealm) March 20, 2020

Without every laying it out in direct order, Simmons’ list would appear to look like this.

1. Anthony Davis
2. Kawhi Leonard
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Ben Simmons
5. Patrick Beverley

At first glance, and maybe somewhat within the context of Simmons’ argument, these names pass the eye test as some of the league’s best defenders. With the exception of Beverley, four of the five players can guard every position on the floor for extended stretches due to their combination of length, strength, and upper-echelon athleticism.

But what do the numbers say?

According to ESPN’s Defensive Real Plus-Minus (DRPM), which measures points allowed per 100 possessions, Simmons might be onto something including Beverley on the list. Beverley’s DRMP ranks second in the league at 2.58, followed closely by Antetokounmpo at 2.5.

Davis, the best defender in the NBA according to Simmons has a DRPM of 1.13, which ranks 33rd according to ESPN. Leonard, the second-ranked player on Simmons list has a DRPM of 1.9, good for ninth in the NBA. Simmons, who included himself on the list of the league’s best defenders measures in with a DRPM of 0.57, 91st best in the NBA according to ESPN.

Using Simmons’ defensive versatility eye test argument, teamed with DRPM, the most glaring omission from the list might be LeBron James, who ranks fourth in DRPM at 2.30, and regularly matches up against players across all position groups. Surprisingly, James has never won the Defensive Player of the Year award — his closest finish coming in second behind Orlando’s Dwight Howard.

Of course, what this discussion is missing is Gobert’s DRPM according to ESPN. Unsurprisingly, Gobert ranks atop the DRPM list by a significant margin at 3.23. In fact, the gap between Gobert and second-ranked Beverley, 0.65 points,  is the same as the gap between Beverley and the ninth-ranked Leonard.

If the NBA fails to return from its hiatus this season, and likely even if it does, Gobert appears to be coasting to his fourth consecutive DRPM title using ESPN’s system.

Perhaps the biggest flaw in Simmons’ argument, beyond it not matching what most statistical models think of Gobert, is the belief that Gobert is a defensive mismatch anywhere on the floor. The Jazz center has made a tremendous effort in improving his defensive identity everywhere on the floor, not just eliminating looks at the rim.

Rudy Gobert on focusing on becoming a better perimeter defender, and when he made the choice to do it. pic.twitter.com/b2LOiFf7VL

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 26, 2020

Beyond Gobert claiming he’s improved his perimeter defense, the examples of his perceived defensive shortcomings against smaller defenders has become a fruitful weapon for the Jazz.

Jazz fans will enjoy the following highlights.

Gobert versus Malcolm Brogdon

RuDy GoBeRt CaN't DeFeNd GuArDs On ThE pErImEtEr (if I had a dollar for every time he's proved those people wrong…) #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Xzo9Za0i9y

— Dan Jenson (@dsjenson) January 21, 2020

Gobert versus Delon Wright

rUdY gObErT cAnT dEfEnD tHe PeRiMeTeR #TakeNote #DPOY pic.twitter.com/YX7FR79zKO

— Headband Joe Appreciation Society (@headband_joe) January 26, 2020

Gobert versus Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony

gObErT cAn’T dEFeNd tHe PeRiMeTeR pic.twitter.com/XaQQzcvMtJ

— Will Die Defending Gobert 🧢 (@Chase_Observes) December 27, 2019

Gobert versus Trey Young

Since twitter goes wild when Gobert gets “exposed” on the perimeter, make sure you remember the times when he does this (which is way more often) pic.twitter.com/Qtj4YBrxOk

— Taylor Griffin (@griffdunk) December 20, 2019

So while Simmons’ list does, in fact, include some of the league’s best defenders (excluding himself), omitting Gobert is a glaring issue.