3 key takeaways from recent Utah Jazz struggles

Takeaway #3: the Utah Jazz need Rudy Gobert on offense too

Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert is a 3x Defensive Player of the Year. Understandably, most fans associate him with that end of the floor. As brilliant as the Stifle Tower is in points prevention, the Jazz have been missing him just as badly on offense.

In two games since Gobert went down with a calf injury, the Jazz have managed to score 109 points and 97 points. Granted, those games came against the Phoenix Suns. The first one, in light of that fact, wasn’t even a poor performance.

Still, onlookers had to notice the difference in the Jazz’s attack. Hassan Whiteside has performed admirably in Gobert’s absence, but it’s impossible for him to make up the difference.

The Jazz shoot the most threes in the NBA, but Gobert, as the only non-shooter in their starting lineup, is integral to their offensive strategy. His gravity as a roll man creates space for Utah’s platoon of shooters to fire away. Without him, defenders are more apt to stay home on those shooters and make their lives more difficult.

All of which probably explains the team’s 97 point dud against the Suns in their last contest.

The Utah Jazz did not enter the 2021-22 season with the intention of losing. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. With a cleaner bill of health, hopefully they can change their fortunes.