Jazz center Rudy Gobert continues to dominate this season despite facing criticism, as relayed by NBA.com. Gobert, one of the league’s top rim-protectors, is averaging 15.6 points and 14.8 rebounds per game on a career-best 72% shooting.
“I’m just gonna keep trying to be the best Rudy I can be, on and off the court. … And for my team,” Gobert said. “The more these people try to discredit what I do or what my team does, it just means we’re doing something right.”
Gobert is also averaging 2.3 blocks per game, making it eighth straight seasons of averaging over two blocks. His impressive two-way play is a key reason why Utah ranks fourth in the West at 38-22.
Here are some other notes from the Western Conference:
- The Jazz are bouncing back after dealing with a difficult January, as relayed in a separate NBA.com story. Utah is 8-1 this month, which includes a 118-114 road victory over the Suns on Sunday. The team owns the sixth-best record in the league.
- The Timberwolves have to find a way to improve their offense, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes. One of the team’s recent problems has been Anthony Edwards, who’s currently in a slump. Minnesota has scored 102, 119 and 91 points in its last three games. “We’ve kind of regressed with that first unit, and we just have to get back to playing through our early concepts,” head coach Chris Finch said. “That’s what we’ve gone away from.”
- Christian Clark, Scott Kushner and Rod Walker of NOLA.com debate whether Pelicans star Zion Williamson will play another game with the organization. Williamson hasn’t played this season (foot surgery rehab) and remains away from the team. He could undergo a second procedure at some point, as we previously relayed.
That was a big win today for Utah
Easier without Chris Paul. Should’ve lost to the Mavs too but it’s much easier when you can foul without repercussion. Mavs shot 8 FTs the entire game! Jazz have looked better recently.
Yeah they have been playing better lately. Helps to get your two best players back. Wins over the Warriors, Suns and Mavs in their last 10. Yeah Chris Paul was out but the Suns are going to have to use to that for awhile. Not saying he’s at CP3s level but they’ve been without Ingles for some time and he was a key rotation piece for them.
Should’ve lost to Mavs lol Wtf does that even mean :D
Easier, sure, though I wouldn’t count them out even with C.Paul on the floor.
He said my team instead of our team
Great analysis Dr. Freud.
They local press needs to quit harping on Williamson, he’ll play when he’s ready. He’s reached out to C.J. posted pics of him and his teammates on Instagram and even went to a local fans discord group to discuss his absence with them all since the Reddick click bait. Do they just want to drive him away or something?
I think there’s some PTSD from the AD situation playing out here. They might be trying to reject him before he rejects them. Obviously the smart move is to do whatever it takes to get him to stay, because if he can stay healthy, he’ll be a hall of famer.
Also, Pels can win without him. ZW will return when doing so is less stressful to foot and mind!
Hoping and praying for a Jazz/Nugs 4/5 seed matchup. If Murray and Porter can make it back that’ll be one hell of a series
Bet
Sorry Rudy but as right now you will be playing DAL in R1WC… so that means that as usual you will be 1 & done, can’t see you getting past playoff Luka!
I’m a Hornets fan so I have no biases.
But the jazz made the playoff the last 5 years.
They were eliminated in the first round twice.
Eliminated in the second round three times.
Statically speaking, as usual, they are not a 1 and done team.
While they haven’t had much of any playoff success, they more often than not, have made it to the second round.
Also, last year was the first time they had home court in the first round. So they have technically overachieved by twice winning a first round series while being on the road.
I don’t think it’s even NBA fans who hate on Gobert that much. For some reason a lot of players talk crap about him.
It’s definitely the “fans” hating way more than the players do. Hating on great basketball players is what these guys do best
Pple should be ashamed of themselves the way they treat Gobert! :D
Rudy did well against PHX.
Donovan warmed up for the playoffs, is playing his tits off, shoots damn well from the deep and the way he weaves through the defence resembles a snake more than a spida.
So impressed with the Conley’s game, looking so damn well for a second-hand star in his thirties, adapted really well in the system.
The squad gets on well and the whole supporting cast looks damn solid. Clarkson slowed he’s game, makes better decisions and most importantly delivers during very limited minutes. Bogdanovic contributes, heck – even Whiteside looks like he gives a damn for a change ;)
Looks like they learned their lesson and are about to peak at the right moment coming up to the post-season. Keep it up and we’ve got a fair shot at it.