Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert as good as ever, but team defense needs work

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: The jersey of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz as seen during the game against the LA Clippers on January 20, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: The jersey of Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz as seen during the game against the LA Clippers on January 20, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Rudy Gobert has been sensational for the Utah Jazz since returning from injury, but he hasn’t gotten the support he needs defensively.

Watching Rudy Gobert play this weekend for the Utah Jazz, it’s hard to believe he’s fresh off a 15-game absence. In two games since his return from injury, the Stifle Tower has dropped 19.5 points, 10.5 boards and three blocks per contest, while shooting 68 percent from the field. He’s looked every bit the All-Star fans expected him to be this season.

And yet, even with their elite rim protector back in the fold, the Jazz defense was gashed in each of those games. On Friday, Utah gave up 117 points and 11 3-point shots to the New York Knicks. That was followed up by a 113-point effort from the LA Clippers the following night.

Without question, the Jazz have to rediscover themselves with Gobert in the fold once again. More than that, though, they need to support him defensively. Because, right now, they’re making him look bad.

Gobert’s defensive field goal percentage differential numbers, which can be a good indicator of a defenders’ efficacy down low, have been ghastly since he’s been back. With Gobert defending, opponents have hit at a rate 5.2 percent above their norms within six feet of the hoop. On the whole, they’ve connected on nearly 70 percent of their shots when facing him in that zone.

That’s bad…and very un-Rudy like.

No, the Jazz center hasn’t forgotten how to protect the tin. Rather, some of his teammates are simply deferring to him instead of doing their part to keep opponents from getting there. All too often, the Knicks and Clippers were allowed to get where they wanted on the floor, which created easy opportunities inside and out.

Instead of being the guy who can cover up for some defensive miscues on the perimeter, he’s been the one left vulnerable time and time again. Players he’s shared the court with have been undisciplined and unwilling to compete at the level they need to.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder summed it up rather astutely following the loss to the Knicks. “I thought he had some really good moments,” he said. “Unfortunately, collectively, we didn’t on defense in the second half. That cost us the game.”

And that’s the crux of the problem. With or without Gobert, defending is a collective process. Although his absence was crushing on that end of the floor, his being there now won’t flip the script instantly — every spoke has to be in place for the wheel to turn.

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While Gobert was on the shelf, the Jazz conceded 111.8 points per 100 possessions. That number ranked 27th in the league and the team’s net rating (minus-9.5) was dead last. Having the Stifle Tower back has cut that down and the numbers should get even better as Gobert gets his wind back and finds a groove with his teammates.

But if the Jazz really want to be elite (or even good) defensively — instead of just “not terrible” — the rest of the team needs to hold up their end.

Their dwindling playoff hopes may just depend on it.