RealGM

How do you rank Deandre Ayton, Brook Lopez, Rudy Gobert and Jarrett Allen for this season 22/23?

1. Lopez
2. Allen or Gobert
3. Ayton

Lopez has been absolutely phenomenal in co-anchoring a top defense while being very efficient on offense. He provides spacing with his 42% 3PAr while shooting a solid 37%, and at 34 years old manages to still post a 7 OREB% while 24-year-old Ayton in his physical prime barely eclipses that. We know Lopez is a rough competitor and NBA champion.

Gobert and Allen are a pick'em for second. I will ask the question though: how good is Allen's defense? Much of the lift he provides his team seems to be on the glass and on offense. Could Cleveland's defense stay the same without him on the roster? Is this a situation where whatever Allen is doing frees Mobley up to focus on more important defensive actions? I don't know, I'm honestly asking.

Ayton is last. He's a talented guy for sure, probably the most talented of the four players here. But I don't think he's a competitor. Given his talent level, age, and lack of range, his OREB% is putrid. By far the worst defender of the four thanks to a low motor and poor spatial awareness. I wouldn't want him on my team.

Feeling pretty good about Brook being better than Ayton (slacking) and Gobert (Bad spot, doesn't appear that motivated). Dunno about Allen, dude has looked great as an anchor and lob threat when I've seen him but haven't watched enough. Lopez is somehow at his peak at 35 tho, mad respect.

1. Lopez (good on both ends)

2a. Allen (only good on defense)
2b. Gobert (only good on defense)

4. Ayton (only good on offense)


The separation seems pretty clear to me, but Gobert v. Allen is hard. This season Allen has probably been better by a clear margin but is that just situational? I feel like his offensive game is a bit easier to fit in than Goberts currently due to his hops and hands. The fact he'll actually take a mid range shot here and there is nice too. I'd expect Goberts defense to be better going forward despite his older age though, Allen feels like a guy who'd break down physically more quickly than someone like Gobert. As a Cavs guy I'd take Allen over Gobert right now but before the season I'd probably have felt differently. These sort of guys are so hard for me to really rate because they're so dependent on being in the right system with the right support. They rarely show the skills that might be able to differentiate them on a meaningful level.