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A Utah Jazz Fan’s Reason For Hope: Rudy Gobert

By Lucas Falk

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Recently the NBA released the schedule for the 2015-2016 season. While it’s been exciting to pore over the schedule, the season is still roughly ten weeks away. As we anxiously await the return of our beloved Utah Jazz, I’d like to tell you what gives me hope for next season.

Each week leading up to the season I will release a different reason why you should be hopeful for Utah in 2015-2016. My greatest reason for hope in the upcoming Jazz campaign is Rudy Gobert.

Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

This past year saw Gobert emerge into one of the league’s rising stars. His outstanding play made Enes Kanter absolutely expendable (good riddance) and he can be viewed as the catalyst for the Jazz’s quick rebuild, as well as the face of the team’s newly-adopted, defense-first identity. All this in his sophomore campaign and his first year seeing any meaningful actions.

Let’s dive into the numbers to see just how good Gobert truly was, specifically compared to one of the NBA’s top centers.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Last year Gobert averaged just over eight points and nine rebounds in about 26 minutes per game. He swatted away two shots and had an assist per game. These numbers are hardly anything to write home about, but it’s what he did in the second half of the season that inspires hope for the coming season.

In the latter half of last year when Gobert took over for Kanter in the starting lineup, he posted averages of 11.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and one steal per contest. Those numbers are similar to the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, who tallied 11.5 points and 15 rebounds per game.

Yes, the same DeAndre Jordan who was named to the All-NBA 3rd Team and All-Defensive 1st Team. The same DeAndre Jordan who signed a four-year contract worth almost $90 million this offseason. The DeAndre Jordan who had an offensive rating of 126 and a defensive rating of 98 (per Basketball Reference).

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With the opportunity to start 82 games for the Jazz this upcoming season, there is no reason why Gobert should not exceed the numbers posted by the much-heralded Jordan.

In 662 fewer minutes, Gobert blocked more shots than Jordan. Gobert shot 62.3 percent from the line, while intentionally fouling Jordan became part of every opponent’s strategy. The best part is Gobert should continue to improve his shooting touch as he spent time this summer working with Dirk Nowitzki‘s shooting coach. Again with fewer minutes, Gobert also racked up 109 assists to Jordan’s 61.

The marvelous part of all of this is that Rudy Gobert is just about to enter his third year in the league and DeAndre Jordan will be lacing up his sneakers for his eighth. Five years of NBA experience separates these two players, but the younger Gobert stacks up nicely compared to his veteran counterpart.

All the statistics and all the numbers aside, it’s the intangible qualities that Gobert possesses that truly get me hyped to see the Jazz in action again. He’s got a drive to be great and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Just take a look at his tweet from back in June–

Gobert will settle for nothing but greatness. Few players in this league have that kind of obsession and I believe Gobert is just crazy enough to be one of them. So if the Clippers had to barricade themselves in DeAndre Jordan’s house to keep him from signing with another team, the Jazz will have to take Gobert somewhere where not even Liam Neeson and his particular set of skills would be able to find him.

Get ready Jazz fans, Rudy Gobert has #gotsomethingstodo and you won’t want to miss it.

Next: Utah Jazz Made a Play for Jason Terry

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