8. C Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Grantland’s Kirk Goldsberry recently had a brilliant piece about Rudy Gobert’s improvements on the defensive end and the positive impact it is having on the Jazz overall. The thing Goldsberry makes clear is much of the same that has already been established here.
Length, athleticism and smarts are the key to effective defensive play. It is those traits primarily which Gobert is exhibiting in leading Utah on a second half surge, and turning them into one of the more dominant defensive teams in the league.
He notes that opponents shoot only 38 percent from in close when Gobert is considered a possible shot blocker. NBA.com has that number at 39.9 percent, but that’s still good for best in the league.
In other words, Gobert is currently the most intimidating presence down on the blocks for guards and forwards. He blocks shots—2.3 per game puts him behind only a handful of players—but more than that he alters shots, making them infinitely more difficult.
Even Tim Duncan is afraid to try to shoot against him. The only mark against Gobert is the relative lack of time he’s spent in the league. The question is, could this be one-hit wonder sort of situation?
Next: Another center?