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NBA Player Rankings Week 4: The top 10 NBA players so far

By Jack Simone

May 21, 2021; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) hugs Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2021; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) hugs Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call during a game against the Sacramento Kings (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

NBA player rankings week 4: 9. Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert is one of those players who is constantly underrated in NBA circles. His playstyle may not translate super well to the playoffs, but when it comes to the regular season, not many players make a larger impact than Gobert.

Team success: The Utah Jazz got off to a red hot start, but have cooled down a bit since. They currently sit at 8-4 and are one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Utah is usually known for two things – three-point shooting and defense. However, with the team struggling from range, Gobert and the defense have led the way.

Player stats: Gobert is averaging 15.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game this season. He’s shooting 71.8 percent from the field and leads the league in rebounds by a healthy margin.

It may seem weird to see a top-ten player in the league averaging only 15 points per game, but his impact is far greater than that. Gobert’s defensive presence is what earns him a spot on this list.

Reason for rank: With the Jazz struggling from deep, their defense has been what has led the way this year. Rudy Gobert is the anchor of that defense.

Despite his playoff struggles, Gobert is one of the best regular-season players in the NBA. For that reason, he earns a spot in the top ten.