The J-Notes
Fansided

Counting down the Top 5 centers in Utah Jazz history

By Ryan Aston

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 8: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz speaks to the media after Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 8: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz speaks to the media after Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert Golden State Warriors
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 4: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2) Rudy Gobert

A year ago, there was no way I was putting Rudy Gobert ahead of Memo. Following the events of last season, it’s pretty hard not to.

His importance to the current team, the impact he has on the court (on both sides of the floor) and his place among the best pivot men in the Association make him one of the two best centers in Jazz history.

In particular, his 2016-17 campaign was off the charts good. The Stifle Tower was the first player in NBA history to finish in the Top 3 league-wide in both offensive and defensive rating. He also led the league in blocks per game, block percentage, defensive win shares, defensive real plus/minus and true shooting percentage.

He finished second in field goal percentage and effective field goal percentage as well. If you wanted to widen the search to Top 10 rankings, we’d be here all day. Basically, he’s been awesome by just about any measure or statistical metric you can conjure.

In all likelihood, most Jazz fans would tell you that Gobert’s name will one day find itself on top of lists like this. They’re not wrong either.

Utah Jazz Stats: 269 GP, 9.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and a hearty salute.

Next: 1. Mark Eaton

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