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Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Keys to the Game

By Jared Woodcox

Oct 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson (33) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 88-75. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson (33) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 88-75. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) fouls Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 88-75. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) fouls Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 88-75. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Performer – Rudy Gobert

Typically when I select the key performer, I like to look for which Jazz player enjoys a key positional advantage against the opposing team due to a lackluster player, injuries, etc. However, in the case of tomorrow’s game, that certainly won’t be the case as Rudy Gobert will be matched up against the Clippers’ lone All-Star this season in DeAndre Jordan.

But that just so happens to be the very reason why I’m giving Rudy Gobert the nod.

It’s no secret that many people (himself included) felt that Gobert was deserving of an All-Star selection. He’s been absolutely incredible on both ends of the floor this season and is among the best in the league in several statistical categories. He’s the anchor of Utah’s defense and an absolutely vital piece to their success.

Meanwhile, although Jordan is an incredible player and probably very deserving of the All-Star selection himself, even he was a bit surprised that he was selected to play in the game.

It was a pick that caused us at Purple & Blues as well as other Jazz sites across the web to refer to Jordan’s selection as “Rudy Gobert’s All-Star spot”.

Thus it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see Rudy Gobert anxious to get out there with a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove against the guy who stands out the most as the one that was picked over him as a 2017 NBA All-Star.

If Gobert can come out with high energy, laser focus and a determination to bring it to DeAndre Jordan and prove that DJ’s All-Star selection really should have gone to the Stifle Tower, then there’s no question in my mind that he can be Utah’s key performer tonight.

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