The Top 20 centers in 2023-24

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2023-24 stats: 13.6 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.4 apg, 0.7 spg, 65.5 FG% in 91 games
Salary ranking: No. 13 ($41,000,000)

Winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2023-24 for a record-tying fourth time, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert was once again jeered in the playoffs by other players and rival fans alike for seeming to get “exposed” defensively when forced to defend on switches.

Look, if a center stopping a Doncic iso on the perimeter is the barometer for winning Defensive Player of the Year, then no big man would ever win the award again. Sure, more switchability would help Gobert a great deal defensively but as is, he’s the most impactful defender in the league, as his elite size, length and timing help him shut down the rim for opponents.

Plus, despite getting “exposed,” Gobert played a large part in the Timberwolves getting to the Western Conference Finals. Oh, and he made Minnesota 16.0 points per 100 possessions better during his time on the floor in the postseason, so clearly, his impact is being immensely felt by opposing teams, including in the biggest stage possible.

So maybe it’s time for the Gobert slander to stop.