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NBA: Top 10 Centers In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) watch the ball during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) watch the ball during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) defends against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Rudy Gobert

2015-16 Stats:  9.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 1.5 APG, .559/—/.569 shooting, 17.5 PER

Rudy Gobert is nowhere near as polished offensively as Brook Lopez. His offense is basically restricted put-backs and alley-oops, he’s a poor free throw shooter and most of his skill set is rudimentary at this point. Individually, Lopez is the better player.

However, if you were forced to choose between having Gobert and Lopez, you’d probably choose the younger defensive stalwart over the guy who will be putting up empty numbers for a 15-win Nets team. Maybe it’s unfair to compare since the Utah Jazz will be in the running for a top-4 seed in the West, but Gobert’s importance to a potentially elite defense shouldn’t be overlooked.

Related Story: NBA: Top 10 Candidates For 2016-17 Defensive Player Of The Year

Entering his age-24 season, this is the Stifle Tower’s most promising chance for a breakout season yet. He came close last year, averaging a near double-double to go with 2.2 blocks per game, but missing 21 games due to injury held him and the Jazz back.

If Utah can overcome that annoying injury bug, Gobert should anchor a top-five defense and put himself in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. If he can just elevate his game on the offensive end a little bit in 2016-17, his defensive impact will far outweigh the big numbers Lopez puts up in Brooklyn.