Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Stars And Snubs Form The Top 20

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 21
Next
Jan 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz at Target Center. The Jazz defeated the Timberwolves 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz at Target Center. The Jazz defeated the Timberwolves 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Position: Center
Age: 24 (6/26/1992)
Experience: 4th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .661/.000/.645
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.5 MPG, 12.8 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 3.7 ORPG, 2.6 BPG

The Utah Jazz have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2016-17 NBA regular season. Utah is well on its way to making its first postseason appearance since 2011-12 and its highest win total since 2009-10.

At the heart of Utah’s success in 2016-17 is starting center and Defensive Player of the Year favorite Rudy Gobert.

Utah is currently No. 2 in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions at 101.4—just 0.4 behind the Golden State Warriors. Individually, Gobert ranks No. 1 in the NBA in blocks per game and Defensive Real Plus-Minus.

Standing at 7’1″ with an absurd 7’8.5″ wingspan, Gobert’s mere presence on the court is a deterrent against slashers who attempt to get into the paint.

Gobert began this past week by erupting for 27 points, 25 rebounds, and two blocks in a 112-107 win over the resurgent Dallas Mavericks. Gobert then posted 19 points and 11 rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting in Utah’s other victory of the week, a 109-100 win against the Indiana Pacers.

Gobert was criminally snubbed of an All-Star Game appearance, but he’s a—if not the—frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year.