Rudy Gobert Continues to Lead Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are 7-1 to begin the 2021-22 season and they not only have the best average point differential in the league at +12.7, but they are currently 3rd in the NBA in scoring and second in the league in rebounding. Up and down this roster, the Jazz has key talents at every single position and Rudy Gobert has really improved as an all-around talent.
In the playoffs last year, Gobert really got exposed by the Clippers because Los Angeles went with a “small-ball approach,” forcing Utah’s big man to step out and guard guys on the perimeter. He is a fantastic player, but he was taken outside his comfort zone of the paint and as a result, the Clippers were able to get the shots they wanted on offense without Gobert being a factor defensively.
This season, not only have the Jazz changed their philosophy on the defensive end of the court out on the perimeter to allow Rudy Gobert to remain inside the paint, but he has been an absolute monster on the rebounding end of things, not allowing his opponents to earn second-chance opportunities.
Teams are only averaging 42.1 rebounds per game against the Utah Jazz this season, which is the second-lowest mark in the league so far. On his own, Rudy Gobert is averaging a league-high 17.3 rebounds and has made some tremendous strides to improve his offensive game as well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Star Backcourt Finding Great Synergy Together
Gobert is averaging a league-high 73.6% from the floor and has recorded a double-double in all but one of his team’s games this season.
“I’m feeling more and more comfortable,” Gobert said early on this season. “I’ve been putting in a lot of work, and it’s exciting to know that I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I can do offensively.”
Alongside the All-Star center, Donovan Mitchell has also continued to play like an All-Star in his own right. So far, Mitchell has averaged 24.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, but he is shooting just 41.6% from the floor and 32.9% from three-point range.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Star Backcourt Finding Great Synergy Together
It seems like a lot of guys across the league this year are struggling with the new Wilson basketball compared to the old Spalding one, so his shooting numbers are not too much of a concern right now.
