Ever since the first time I saw Gobert play last year, I've patiently (see feb post last year) for Jazz management to see that the more he played the better we got. I didn't care if he couldn't make a shot. I still remember Eaton being placed up at half court on every possession just to draw the illegal defense and that took us to the Western Conference Finals. Riley said it best, the talk was what to do about Eaton. Not Stockton or Malone. We didn't get better for years without that kind of force in the center. It wasn't until another long arm (Ostertag) came along after Eaton went past his prime that we got to the finals, along with the consistent play of Stockton and Malone.
Oscar Robertson got no where until paired with the defense of Alcindor. Celtics without Russell. Lakers without Wilt and then Kareem and then Shaq. Pistons without Laimbeer (used dirt to cover lack of talent along with another bruiser)
Favors is great and getting better but he's not at his best at 5...it's 4. It's not just the blocked shots by Rudy. Then the altered shots cause he goes for it without fouling and all the teams know he's going for it. It's not just using his size and length to only stand straight up but knowing when to. Then the knowing where to be on the rebound after the altered shot. Never in all my years watching have I enjoyed watching a center play D more and seeing even his potential offensively.
We need to start fast and early and discourage them from Quarter 1 to keep the other team's confidence down.
If we have already given up on this year being playoff bound and this is more about General Management and next year winning, then I understand starting Kanter. But I believe we can beat them all (we have at least once)when we are shooting well and with Gobert and Favors on the other side. We play 600+ basketball the rest of the way and one or two others falter a bit, we make the 8th seed. Pipe dream? Maybe. But if I knew Kanter wasn't starting the rest of the way out and Gobert and Favors were healthy and getting the minutes, I'd put my kid's allowance up to win 6 figures.

I'll stay on the Gobert bandwagon...only because I believe history is repeating itself.