The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz fan wish list for the upcoming 2018-19 season

By Jared Woodcox

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz celebrate after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz celebrate after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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French professional basketball player Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel attends the 2018 NBA Awards at Barkar Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by TARA ZIEMBA / AFP) (Photo credit should read TARA ZIEMBA/AFP/Getty Images)
French professional basketball player Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel attends the 2018 NBA Awards at Barkar Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by TARA ZIEMBA / AFP) (Photo credit should read TARA ZIEMBA/AFP/Getty Images) /

Rudy Gobert defends DPOY

The only thing better than one Defensive Player of the Year Award is two. And so on and so forth. Rudy Gobert has been in contention for the DPOY Award for a couple years, but finally brought home the hardware in 2017-18. If he was able to do so after only appearing in 56 games last year, then he very well ought to be the favorite for the upcoming season.

Watching Gobert fluster the competition and defend the rim at will has been an exhilarating treat, and seeing him do so once again will not only be great for his individual growth but will also be crucial for Utah’s success.

Several casual fans and some media members have questioned Rudy Gobert’s effectiveness due to his perceived offensive shortcomings, so seeing him prove doubters wrong by dominating on defense and taking home the biggest award on that end of the floor is vindicating to the core. Now that Gobert has gotten a taste of the prize, I imagine he’ll be more determined than ever to not give it up.

The award itself is cool, but more important is what it would signify. If Gobert is once again the Defensive Player of the Year, it will mean that he had a fantastic season. And as the backbone of this Jazz team, if he had a fantastic season, then it likely means that the Jazz were dominant as well. As Gobert’s defense has gone, so has his team largely gone as well.

And that, my friends, is exactly why a repeat DPOY victory ought to be on every Jazz fan wishlist.

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