Rudy Gobert must win the matchup against Capela
Rudy Gobert is asked to do so much for this Utah Jazz defense that it is almost unfair to expect more from him. That being said, the Jazz will need more if they are going to win tonight. Gobert has taken a lot of heat this series, but we have to remember that he is the primary reason the Jazz were able to turn their season around. They would not be playing today without his dominant performance in the second half of the year.
Defensively, I have no complaints for Gobert. He is being asked to contain Chris Paul and James Harden as they drive to the basket, while simultaneously guarding Clint Capela as he rolls to the basket off the pick n’ roll. These are some of the best players in the world he is being asked to contain, and while it hasn’t worked 100 percent of the time, the Rockets have performed significantly under their regular season offensive rating.
Can we mix in a few facts about Rudy Gobert's impact on the series
— David Locke (@DLocke09) May 7, 2018
Rockets offensive rating in season was a 112.2
Game 1 Defense: 110.5
Game 2 Defense: 104.0
Game 3 Defense: 112.1
Game 4 Defense: 102.0
The main area where Gobert must improve and make his presence felt is on the offensive side of the ball. He has not made Capela work defensively, which makes it easier for Capela to provide help defense.
His averages of 12 points and 10.5 rebounds don’t look terrible, but they don’t tell the whole story. The Jazz have an offensive rating of just 96.3 this series, and Gobert is not helping.
"Another thing Gobert could do more effectively: take advantage of Capela helping. With how much Capela was rotating onto Jazz guards, Gobert should have been able to eat at the rim on putbacks and offensive rebounds. Certainly, his defense has altered Houston’s approach on the offensive end. But when the Jazz have the ball, I think they can get more from Gobert. He doesn’t need a post move, doesn’t need a jump shot. But Gobert can get stronger in other aspects of the offensive game to help his team win."
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Gobert is never going to have a refined offensive game. He will likely never develop a reliable jump shot, or much of a back to the basket repertoire. What he can do though, is out-hustle Capela and the other Rockets to create those opportunities for himself and others.