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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Time Statistics Are Tough To Ignore

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) leaves the court after fouling out with 1:10 remaining in the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 104-88. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) leaves the court after fouling out with 1:10 remaining in the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 104-88. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Position: Center
Age: 24 (6/26/1992)
Experience: 4th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .649/.000/.660
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.7 MPG, 13.0 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 3.8 ORPG, 2.5 BPG

The Utah Jazz are an elite defensive team that’s pushing for a Top 4 seed in the Western Conference. Currently No. 4 and 2.0 games ahead of the injury-depleted Los Angeles Clippers, it’s only right to have a member of the Jazz on this list.

Though Gordon Hayward is deserving of consideration for the Top 20, it’s Rudy Gobert who continues to anchor the Jazz’s elite defense.

Utah ranks No. 3 in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions and No. 5 in the NBA in win percentage. The Jazz allow a team-worst 105.6 points per 100 possessions without Gobert on the court, however, which is a telling sign of just how valuable he is to team success.

Simply put: the Jazz play at an elite level via the strength of the defense and the defense wouldn’t be nearly as strong as it is without Gobert.

Gobert ranks No. 1 in the NBA in Defensive Real Plus-Minus and often limits opponents to one opportunity to score. He’s an elite shot-blocker and rim protector, as well as an outstanding rebounder who utilizes his 7’9″ wingspan to control the interior.

Hayward is the closer and he deserves credit for that very reason, but the Jazz only have games to close out because of Gobert’s defensive presence.