Portland Trail Blazers center Hassan Whiteside is a towering figure that can grab rebounds, block shots, and tally double-doubles on a nightly basis.

He proved as such on Monday against the Detroit Pistons, where he overpowered the opposition for 16 points, 17 boards, and four blocks. It was the 19th time this season where he has recorded a double-double while also swatting four or more shots.

In the postgame interviews, the 7-footer was rightfully feeling himself and had an idea as to how his solid play should be rewarded.

Does he present a good case?

With averages of 15.1 points, 14.1 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game, the big man is on a good comeback trail after having an embattled 2018-19 campaign with the Miami Heat. He has pushed Portland into ranking second in blocks and 16th in paint defense despite the team being a terrible defensive team overall.

Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard has long been taking notice of his teammate’s resurrection this season, saying in a recent interview that Whiteside is the “best shot-blocker I’ve ever been around.” Back in late December, Dame also called him the best defensive center in the league.

Not everyone is impressed, though, namely Whiteside’s Utah Jazz counterpart, Rudy Gobert, a perennial member of the All-Defensive Team and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year awardee. Here’s how he responded to Lillard’s claims:

That’s a nasty, French-flavored burn.

Who is Whiteside up against?

Plenty, and each present a strong case – there’s Anthony Davis tallying 1.5 SPG and 2.5 BPG, Giannis Antetokounmpo pacing everyone in defensive rating and defensive win shares, Gobert being just a couple of spots behind Giannis’s league-best stats, and Kawhi Leonard placing 12th in defensive rating and top eight in steals per game and steal percentage.

It doesn’t help that their respective teams all have a way better record than the Blazers, who are only 26-32 and three games out of the West playoff picture.

There’s no doubt that Hassan Whiteside is an elite shot-blocker and defensive center in the league, but he’s competing with superstars on powerhouse teams. He might have to quadruple his block numbers just to be a serious contender.