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NBA Power Rankings: Top 20 Players Heading Into 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after a foul in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after a foul in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Position: Center
Age: 24 (6/26/1992)
Experience: 4th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .695/.000/.648
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.8 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 2.6 BPG, 0.7 SPG

The No. 20 spot was a battle between key contributors to teams that have won at a tremendous rate early in 2016-17: Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz, Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Draymond Green and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors.

For as deserving as every player was, this decision came down to Gobert and Hayward for the manner in which they’ve elevated the Jazz to postseason-caliber status.

Gobert has been Utah’s most consistent player and the anchor of a defense that ranks amongst the best in the NBA. He’s No. 1 in the Association in field goal percentage and No. 2 in blocks per game, and has the Jazz ranked No. 1 in the NBA in scoring defense.

Hayward has re-established himself as Utah’s closer, however, which is why this decision was so difficult to make.

The advantage that Gobert has over Hayward is that he was helping Utah win in the swingman’s absence. The other advantage is that the Jazz are winning games on the strength of their defense and Gobert is the player who’s anchoring that push.

There are a number of stars who deserve the No. 20 spot, but Gobert has been a true force of nature for the 20-13 Jazz.