It seems as if it\u2019s almost become cool to be a Rudy Gobert detractor. Notable names such as Shaquille O\u2019Neal and Draymond Green have done their endless Gobert bashing. Many were in awe of how much the Timberwolves gave up to acquire him in 2022. The fact remains that he is still among the better centers of the league.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On his Substack, Iztok Franko ranked the top centers<\/a> in the Western Conference. It may have surprised some who Gobert ranked above<\/a>.<\/p>\n Best centers in the Western Conference<\/p>\n On Franko\u2019s list, it shouldn\u2019t surprise anyone who was atop it. Of course, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic led the way. There should be no debate over that.<\/p>\n Coming in at second is Victor Wembanyama. Few arguments should be had over that. After Ivica Zubac\u2019s season, he didn\u2019t seem to be out of place in third. It certainly could be argued, though, that fourth-place Alperen Sengun should be ahead of him.<\/p>\n It was the next two that may have caused some readers to do a double take. Is Gobert, who came in at fifth, really a better big man than Domantas Sabonis (ranked sixth)?<\/p>\n Sabonis vs. Gobert<\/p>\n Death, taxes, and Sabonis recording a double-double. The 29-year-old had a stretch of 61 consecutive double-doubles that finally ended in April of 2024. In 2024-25, he led the league in rebounding for the third-straight season. Seen by many as the best-passing big man other than Jokic, Sabonis now has 50 triple-doubles over the last three years.<\/p>\n Gobert certainly isn\u2019t posting the assist totals that Sabonis does, and he also scores less frequently. It\u2019s not easy to compare the two, though. The Wolves center is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year<\/a> and provides rim protection that very few others can. That is something that Sabonis absolutely isn\u2019t known for.<\/p>\n Who is the better NFL player, Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II or Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson? They are both elite, but play different sides of the field. While not an exact analogy, that\u2019s what it is like debating who is the better basketball player, Sabonis or Gobert.<\/p>\n