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Utah Jazz: All hail Rudy Gobert, the new Dunk King

By Jared Woodcox

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 23: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 23: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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In the Utah Jazz’s blowout win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, Rudy Gobert broke the single-season NBA dunk record with number 270 on the year.

Some records in the NBA are considered untouchable. Utah Jazz legend John Stockton‘s assist record is one of the first that comes to mind. His steal record is up there as well, as is Wilt Chamberlain‘s 100-point game. They’re marks that seem pretty much unfathomable to catch.

Then again, Oscar Robertson‘s triple-double record was once viewed in a similar light, but it was ultimately surpassed by contemporary superstar Russell Westbrook. Other records, such as career 3-pointers and career points are in danger of being owned by the likes of Stephen Curry and LeBron James, respectively.

In other words, while some records stand etched in history, others are quite easy to believe they can be surpassed. Others are somewhere in between. On Monday night, one such record was broken as a mark that had stood for quite some time was passed by Jazz star Rudy Gobert.

Back in 2007-08, then Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard set the single-season dunk record in alarming fashion as one of the most dominant centers in the league. En route to the third seed in the Eastern Conference, Howard slammed it home a total of 269 times, a record that has stood for over a decade.

However, in the Utah Jazz’s blowout win on Monday over the Phoenix Suns, Rudy Gobert bid that record adieu by putting in his 270th dunk of the season, a new NBA record. Gobert is often heralded for his defense, but he’s been a beast offensively all year long as well in more ways than one, and his ability to throw down dunks with incredible efficiency is just one example.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/1110359548768862208

After breaking the record, in typical Rudy fashion, he gave the credit to his teammates rather than taking credit for his own.  He stated the following:

"“It’s all my teammates. They are the ones that pass me the ball every night, all I have to do is put it in the basket. It’s their record, too.”"

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/1110386418675675136

That quote from Rudy perfectly describes his game and this Jazz team – selfless and humble with nothing more than a will to win.

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That attitude has helped Rudy ascend from a questionable draft prospect to an absolute star on both ends of the court. Ideally, it can also take the Jazz to their illustrious championship aspirations that they undoubtedly hope to reach sooner than later.

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