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NBA Player Power Rankings: 2017 All-Star Weekend Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) high fives Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the second quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) high fives Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the second quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Position: Center
Age: 24 (6/26/1992)
Experience: 4th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .640/.000/.662
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.5 MPG, 12.9 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 3.9 ORPG, 1.0 APG, 2.5 BPG

The Utah Jazz are entering the All-Star Break with a 35-22 record and a realistic opportunity to finish in the Top 4 of the Western Conference. It’s just seven wins away from securing its first winning season since 2013 and is on pace to win its first division title since 2008.

The key to Utah’s success has been execution on the defensive end of the floor and star center Rudy Gobert is the interior anchor.

Gobert ranks No. 1 in the Association in Defensive Real Plus-Minus and Utah is tied for No. 2 in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions. With Gobert on the court, the Jazz are allowing 99.7 points allowed per 100 possessions.

When Gobert isn’t on the court, however, the Jazz are allowing a team-worst average of 105.9 points per 100 possessions.

In other words: the Jazz are an elite defensive team with Gobert on the court and a below-average defensive team without him. He’s also improved his overall level of offensive proficiency with the manner in which he catches passes, finishes in traffic, and converts at the free throw line.

Gobert is a phenomenal defensive player and the anchor of one of the most dominant units in the NBA. He deserves a Top 20 ranking.