The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Hood, AB aim to chop down the Stifle Tower

By Ryan Aston

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 28: Alec Burks #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 28, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 28: Alec Burks #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 28, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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In their first bout with their old team, former Utah Jazz guards Rodney Hood and Alec Burks want to throw down on Rudy Gobert.

On Friday evening, the Utah Jazz are set to square off with a couple of familiar foes. Of course, the foe part of the equation is new, but you’d be hard-pressed to find two players outside of Salt Lake City more familiar with the gold, green and blue crew.

Former Jazzmen Rodney Hood and Alec Burks will join the Cleveland Cavaliers in their bid to deal Utah its second straight loss to tip-off an Eastern road swing. And while protecting the court at The Q will undoubtedly be their top aim, Hood and Burks both share another mission in their first bout with their old team — posterizing their former teammate, and the NBA’s reigning DPOY, Rudy Gobert.

“Oh yeah, I’m dunking Rudy,” said Hood at the Cavs’ game day shootaround. “I’m dunking Rudy.” Burks was less effusive in his own proclamation, but he too has the Stifle Tower in his crosshairs —

It’s a mission that’s becoming increasingly common among displaced Jazz ballers.

If you’re putting money on whether or not either can get the job done over the league’s best rim protector, though, I’d suggest keeping your chips in Gobert’s corner. The two may be a combined 10-of-12 on dunk attempts this season, but they’ve never had to face that 7-foot-9 wingspan and 9-foot-7 standing reach in an actual game situation.

That’s one tree they’re not chopping down, even if they have faced him in practice and pick-up ball countless times.

In any case, neither player holds ill any will toward the Jazz organization, its fans or the State of Utah after each was dealt Eastward over the last year. Quite the contrary: they both spoke at length about the good times they had and the friendships they’ve maintained with their former crew.

And the feeling is mutual. For his part, Jazz star Donovan Mitchell is thankful for both of their contributions to his own development —

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I, for one, wish them continued success with the Cavs and beyond. But they’re crazy in they think they’re going to get Gobert.

The Jazz and the Cavs will tip things off at 5:30 PM MT. After the battle for Cleveland, Hood and Burks will make their return to SLC and Vivint Smart Home Arena in two weeks time on January 18.

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