NBA Player Power Rankings: MVP Candidates Continue To Clash

January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) grabs the ball away from Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 110-77. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Position: Center
Age: 24 (6/26/1992)
Experience: 4th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .662/.000/.656
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.4 MPG, 12.4 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 3.6 ORPG, 2.6 BPG

The Utah Jazz were expected to break out in 2016-17, but few expected them to be as great as they have been. Utah is 27-16 through 43 games, which puts it on pace for 51 wins and an all but guaranteed postseason appearance.

Gordon Hayward nearly received a spot on this list, but it’s Rudy Gobert who has anchored the Jazz’s success in 2016-17.

Gobert dominated Andre Drummond and the Detroit Pistons from a defensive perspective during a 110-77 Utah win. He then turned it up on the other end, recording 19 points, 19 rebounds, five offensive boards, two assists, and two blocks during a 114-107 win over the Orlando Magic.

The next time out, Gobert went off again for 18 points, 17 rebounds, six offensive boards, one assist, four blocks, and a steal during a 106-101 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Utah is No. 2 in the NBA in defensive efficiency and no player has been more valuable to that success than Gobert. Gobert ranks No. 1 in the NBA in Defensive Real Plus-Minus by a significant margin.

For what it’s worth, the Jazz have defensive ratings of 104.9 when Gobert isn’t on the floor and 99.6 when he is—the difference between below average and elite.