The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz-Rockets Game 5: Can the Jazz stave off elimination?

By John Keeffer

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Clint Capela #15 and Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets play defense against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Clint Capela #15 and Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets play defense against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. /

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.

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.

Andy Larsen, who is the Utah Jazz beat writer for KSL, said this in regards to what Gobert needs to do better:

"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.

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