One gift on every Utah Jazz player’s wishlist for the 2021-22 season

More gifts for Utah Jazz players

Rudy Gobert: Respect

You try identifying an area in which Rudy Gobert should be contributing more, but isn’t. It’s impossible. There was a temptation to go with “a better jump shot”, but we could equally list “the abilities of prime Michael Jordan” for every player and call it an article.

In terms of expectations, Gobert is meeting or exceeding any that anyone could have had for him heading into the season. So why are NBA players bad mouthing his defensive prowess after games?

Rudy Gobert has earned the respect of the entire NBA as a vital member of the Utah Jazz. It’s time they give him the respect he deserves.

Jordan Clarkson: Shooting efficiency

It’s been an up-and-down season for Jordan Clarkson, but it’s hard not to feel like the lows have been more prominent. The league’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year is shooting 38.3% from the field and 30.5% from three-point range. All told, that’s a 50.4 TS%.

That’s not good. Utah Jazz fans understand that for volume scorers like Jordan Clarkson, efficiency tends to wax and wane. They should only hope for more waxing as the 2021-22 eason wears on.

Joe Ingles: A fountain of youth

Much like his teammate Rudy Gobert, there isn’t much Joe Ingles could ask for this year that he could realistically expect. His 24.8 minutes per game are his lowest since 2016-17, and his 0.2 DBPM is the lowest of his career.

This is where we remind you that Ingles is 34. Time has really snuck up on his career, as he didn’t enter the league until the ripe old age of 27. Nonetheless, here we are. It’s not realistic to expect Ingles to do anything but decline from now on.

Donovan Mitchell: Consistency

First and foremost, the most important offensive player on the Utah Jazz is having a good season. Mitchell’s 25 points per game on a 57 TS% represent a quality first option in the NBA. However, a deeper dive into his game log suggests that he’s been a little inconsistent this year.

The Utah Jazz probably don’t lose to the Grizzlies by a point if Mitchell doesn’t shoot 5/20 from the field. They probably don’t lose to the Pelicans by the same margin if he doesn’t go 6/21. There are other examples as well.

Nobody can deliver every single night in the toughest basketball league in the world. Still, Mitchell could be just a touch more consistent over the remainder of the NBA season.