NBA – “27.2% chance”: The possible snub reserved for Rudy Gobert raises questions in the US

Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif

Since his arrival in the NBA, Rudy Gobert has regularly complained about an alleged lack of recognition in the USA. If one statistic is to be believed, he is in danger of seeing yet another honor slip through his fingers.

Would he pay the price for his relatively unspectacular, defensive style of play? Or his nationality, in a league where non-American players have long struggled to make their mark? Whatever the case, Rudy Gobert has often lamented a lack of esteem for him within the NBA ranks. So much so, in fact, that he broke down in tears following the announcement of his absence from the 2019 All-Star Game.

And yet, the French center has often been honored in the league, particularly on an individual level. Crowned Defender of the Year four times – an all-time record he shares with Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo – he also has three All-Star caps to his name. And yet, according to the specialist website Basketball Reference, he only has a 27.2% chance of making it into… the Hall of Fame.

Rudy Gobert unfairly evaluated for the Hall of Fame?

Supposedly unworthy of entering the Basketball Hall of Fame, Gobert’s low probability of joining it has caused a buzz on social networks. Many American Internet users were indeed very surprised when they discovered it:

@TommyVerno: How does this resume have a less than 28% chance?

@Futureschscake: I hate to admit it but he definitely is a Hall of Famer

@MuseLuver86: He’s the most modern-day Center there is. He better get in.

@DJAnthony2k22: Dude, a 4x DPOY is a LOCK

Having stumbled upon this viral debate, Fadeaway World’s Gautam Varier came to put it to rest. He took it upon himself to explain why Rudy need not panic and should indeed earn his place in the famous Hall of Fame:

Gautam Varier: As far as this low percentage is concerned, it’s easy to understand when you realize how Basketball Reference establishes it. The site bases it on height, number of NBA titles, career points scored, All-Star Game selections and win-shares. Gobert has not won a title and has only made three All-Star Game appearances, which effectively reduces his chances.

DPOYs are not even taken into account by the algorithm, nor are international achievements, which means that his two Olympic silver medals are not taken into account. The committee responsible for electing Hall of Famers, on the other hand, will weigh up these achievements, which means that Gobert is bound to join the Hall of Fame sooner or later.