“They may want to revote on DPOY”: Shannon Sharpe slams Rudy Gobert for shambolic defensive display vs Terance Mann and co. in series deciding Game 6 vs Clippers

Co-Host of the Undefeated Shannon Sharpe makes a harsh claim about Rudy Gobert and his DPOY status after the Clippers beat the Utah Jazz in the paint

Going into the 2021 Playoffs, many had high hopes for the Utah Jazz. Not only did they have the best record in the West, but their playing style on both ends was very entertaining to watch. With Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert anchoring on both ends, the franchise quite simply looked formidable ahead of this postseason.

Fast forward to the second round, and after having a 2-0 series lead, the franchise is crashing out of the playoffs in 6 games. So, what happened?

Also Read: NBA GMs rapidly turning Sixers star into an untradeable asset after playoff meltdowns vs Hawks

Well, it seems that the Jazz’s system wasn’t quite ready for the intensity of the postseason. And due to this, despite being hurt, this Clippers’ side absolutely ripped them apart on both ends of the floor. As many were, analyst Shannon Sharpe was observing this game deeply. When Utah started to look downright helpless on the defensive end, the analyst had a bone to pick with one specific player.

Shannon Sharpe blames Rudy Gobert and his lackluster defense for Utah loss

Many consider this year’s defensive player-of-the-year selection to be a bit of a controversial one. Many pointed towards Ben Simmons for this award, given his abilities on the outside and inside. Even Draymond Green was hailed as perhaps the best candidate, after helping the Warriors finish as the 5^th best defense in the league.

In the end, Rudy Gobert bagged the honor. To be fair to him, he is one of the premier rim protectors in the league. While he isn’t amazing as an outside defender, he has most certainly improved. However, it seems that all crumbled in this series. The Clippers ran rings around him. Yes, we mean that literally.

Sometimes, they didn’t even have to pass around him. There were multiple occasions where shorter players like Reggie Jackson challenged him at the rim and got a relatively easy layup. These aren’t skills worthy of a defensive player of the year, and it seems that Shannon Sharpe agrees. Here is what he tweeted.

They might want to re vote on DPOY, it’s an interstate to the basket

— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 19, 2021

Also Read: Clippers star earns Kawhi Leonard comparisons after breakout 39-point game 6 performance vs Jazz

It may be a bit harsh to go as far as Sharpe does here. However, we can’t help but agree with the sentiment. He was supposed to be the defensive anchor for this side. His ability on that end of the floor was supposed to be the reason he was on the floor at all. Instead, he was really more of a liability for the team.

The Jazz have a lot to thinking to do this off-season.

About the author

Tonoy Sengupta

Tonoy Sengupta is a Senior Editor at The SportsRush. Coming from an athletically inclined family, he has been surrounded by sports ever since he was 4 years old. But, while initially pouring all his time into Football (soccer), at 14, Tonoy discovered basketball through the countless highlights of Stephen Curry humiliating players from Curry Land. And just like that, a fiery passion for the game was ignited within Tonoy. And soon after, he decided to become a student of journalism, graduating in 2022, and choosing sports as his area of interest. Today, you can find him spending 99% of his time browsing through every type of content on every team in the NBA, before uncorking everything he has found to the world. In the 1% he isn't doing this, you can find him playing Basketball, Football, Volleyball, or practically any other sport he has had the opportunity to learn.

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