3 players wrongfully ranked above Knicks’ Jalen Brunson on The Ringer’s Top 100
By Allen Settle
1: Rudy Gobert, MIN, No. 48 Overall
It should be noted on the front end that the narrative around both players has changed dramatically over the past year. However, Rudy Gobert represents the most egregious name on this list.
Once a centerpiece of a perennial contender with the Utah Jazz, Gobert has gone from Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner to the fringes of being a punch line. This reputation change is harsh but it represents how quickly narratives can change in the NBA.
On the one hand, Gobert is averaging 13.3 points per game (up from his career average of 12.5). He is also amongst the league leaders with an average of 11.5 rebounds per contest (on pace with his career mark of 11.6). The seven-foot-one center still has clear value.
Yet, there are a growing number of negative factors that outweigh the positive. Gobert’s 1.3 blocks per game are the lowest since his rookie season. His once elite rim protection abilities have taken a considerable hit since moving to Minnesota.
And speaking of this move, the transition to the Timberwolves has caused further issues. Tensions between Gobert and budding star Anthony Edwards have been festering all season. The former No. 1 pick has expressed public criticism about the spacing issues that arise with Gobert manning the paint. This logjam will be even more evident when co-star Karl-Anthony Towns returns from injury.
While it is no fault of Gobert’s, the fact that a total of five first-round picks were sent to Utah in exchange for his services further emphasizes his on-court struggles. Couple this with his massive five-year, $205 million contract, and it’s easy to argue that the French star is teetering more toward a franchise anchor than a savior.
Unless Gobert can rapidly reestablish himself as a DPOY frontrunner, Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson should be miles ahead of the Stifle Tower on any player ranking.