NBA Player Power Rankings: The Top 20 Players Of 2016-17

Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) and Western Conference guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets (13) during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 7, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) reacts from the court during the second half against the New York Knicks at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won 101-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: Center
Age: 32 (1/29/1985)
Experience: 9th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .459/.388/.837
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.2 MPG, 19.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 1.4 3PM

Marc Gasol has been a Top 20 mainstay throughout the 2016-17 NBA regular season. Although he may not be the most statistically prolific center in the Association, he thrives in a way that can only be appreciated on film.

Few players cover as much ground on defense as Gasol, and in 2016-17, he finally complemented that defensive versatility with his scoring.

Gasol, who’s already a two-time All-NBA honoree and former Defensive Player of the Year, should receive a third nod in the former department. His role on defense is to disrupt everything the opposition throws at his team, and there’s no hyperbole in that statement.

Whether he’s running out to the 3-point line, recovering to contest a shot at the rim, or switching on the pick and roll, Gasol is the Manuel Neuer of the NBA.

Offensively, Gasol added the 3-point shot to his already versatile skill set. This enabled him to not only operate from the high, mid, and low posts, but stretch the floor for David Fizdale in an offense that was ravaged by injuries.

Mike Conley admittedly tested better in the advanced metrics, but no one did more to cover up for Memphis’ injury woes than Gasol.