The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Most intriguing individual matchups series – Central Division

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 24: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz gets to the basket past Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 24, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Utah won the game 98-95 in overtime. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 24: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz gets to the basket past Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 24, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Utah won the game 98-95 in overtime. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond vs. Rudy Gobert

Although Blake Griffin is widely considered the Detroit Pistons’ best player, considering that the Utah Jazz are a little under-sized at the power forward spot, I’m not so sure that’s a matchup Utah is going to be looking forward to as teams with considerable size up front could give them troubles. I’m sure that a committee comprised of the likes of Jeff Green, Royce O’Neale, Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles and even Ed Davis will try their hands at slowing Griffin.

But where the true evenly matched battle of behemoths will take place will be at the center position between Rudy Gobert and Andre Drummond.

Although Drummond is a two-time All-Star, he can actually relate with Gobert about being snubbed for All-Star participation. He’s a bruiser of a big man who is often overlooked due to not fitting the mold of the modern big with an outside shot. Nevertheless, just as Rudy has proven time and time again, Andre is a dominant offensive force thanks to his size, willpower, screen setting and finishing ability at the rim.

Drummond had an incredible season in 2018-19 with 17.3 points per game on 53.3 percent shooting while grabbing an outrageous 15.6 rebounds per game and blocking 1.7 shots. In comparison, although Rudy is certainly the better all-around defender and rim protector, his stat line was 15.9 points, 66.9 percent shooting from the field, 12.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

Rudy’s edge comes in efficiency and defense whereas Drummond’s comes in size and rebounding. Those unique skills each possesses make their matchup truly a battle of epic proportions.

When looking at their individual matchups over the years, it’s been a bit of a seesaw affair with Gobert sometimes getting the best of Drummond and other times the converse happening. However, it’s quite clear that Andre is one of the rare players that enjoys more success against Gobert than most.

That was perhaps most punctuated by a 30-point, 24-rebound performance back in January of 2018 shortly after learning he’d been snubbed from the All-Star Game (he later was named an injury replacement for John Wall). Though it should also be mentioned that the Pistons lost that game, which provides further insight into Drummond’s winning impact as compared to Gobert’s.

In short, these are two All-Star caliber big men that actually have more similarities than differences in their style of play as both are prolific forces to be reckoned with. While the Jazz once again figure to be a better team than the Pistons, the winner of this individual battle, which is very closely contested, could very well determine which team emerges victorious.

Scheduled Contests:

  • 12/30 Detroit at Utah
  • 3/7 Utah at Detroit
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