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 12, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) throws souvenirs to the crowd following the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Position: Center
Age: 24 (6/26/1992)
Experience: 4th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .661/.000/.653
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.9 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, 2.6 BPG

The Utah Jazz are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12 behind the strength of the No. 1 ranked scoring defense. That much has been stated before, but what seems to be overlooked is just how much adversity the Jazz overcame.

In a season that was marred by injuries, it was center Rudy Gobert who anchored Utah’s 51-win season with stellar showings on both ends of the floor.

Three of Utah’s five starters missed at least 23 games during the 2016-17 regular season. That includes Derrick Favors with 32 games missed, George Hill with 33 games absent, and Rodney Hood with 23 outings on the sideline.

Although it was Gordon Hayward who received a long-awaited All-Star Game selection, it was Gobert who was Utah’s true MVP.

Gobert finished the 2016-17 season at No. 1 in blocks per game, No. 2 in field goal percentage, and No. 4 in rebounds per game. He was also the runaway No. 1 player in Defensive Real Plus-Minus, outdoing Draymond Green by 0.95 points per 100 possessions.

Utah had net ratings of +8.1 with Gobert on the court and -2.9 without him. He was the only player whom the 51-win Jazz had a negative net rating without.