The 7-foot Gobert ranked second in the league in total blocks (187) this season and second in defensive win shares (5.7). Behind Gobert, the Jazz were the second-best defense in the NBA during the regular season, behind the Bucks. “He’s a guy that reminds me of a Mark Eaton, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning,” Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said after Gobert was announced as a finalist, according to a Jazz news release. “If you’re a great player, I don’t worry about one guy stopping me. But if you’re playing against a great shot blocker, you have to know where he is. Because even if you beat your man, you know have to beat two guys.”
Rudy Gobert Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: C
Born: 06/26/92
Height: 7-1 / 2.16
Weight:235 lbs. / 106.6 kg.
Salary: $22,991,573
Born: 06/26/92
Height: 7-1 / 2.16
Weight:235 lbs. / 106.6 kg.
Salary: $22,991,573
Jensen, who has been with the Jazz since 2013, is regarded as a tactician who played a major role in developing star center Rudy Gobert. The Jazz won 25 games during his first season. Five seasons later, Utah is coming off three consecutive 48-plus win seasons and playoff berths. If hired by the Grizzlies, one of Jensen’s primary tasks will be developing big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who is entering his second season and is viewed by many within the organization as a franchise centerpiece.
There’s been talk for years that the way to fix bad calls is to have robot or computer refs take the court over (seems terrifying), but when we got Gobert out he said all that ain’t necessary. “I think it would take something away from the game if you do that.” Gobert, one of the best defensive players in the league, says that carbon-based refs are fine, as long as the players are able to have honest talks with them. “Dialogue is the most important thing.”
