Rudy Gobert "Greatest Jazz Center of All Time" Countdown Thread
- Thread starter framer
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Chargers Jazz Angels
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Rudy needs a signature like mutombo's finger wag.
like after a block he acts like he is eating a sandwich (good marketing also) like I will eat your lunch.
like after a block he acts like he is eating a sandwich (good marketing also) like I will eat your lunch.
Yeah, doing an up and under on Zach Lavine is super impressive.
framer
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Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
framer
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#23 Mel Turpin
Points 470
Rebounds 236
Blocks 68
Steals 26
Assists 32
Kentucky All-American Mel Turpin was drafted 6th in the greatest draft of all time in 1984, and never really lived up to the billing. Plagued by weight problems stretching back to his college days when the coaches hired students to turn away the pizza delivery man (Turpin had them meet him at his window) Mel was deridingly named "Dinner Bell Mel" or the "Mealman." By the time he got to Utah, he was pretty much on his last chance in the league. He would still, however, show shines of greatness. Generally, however, he spent a lot of time in Coach Frank Layden's doghouse. Turpin was also known to be a talker and was once involved in fisticuffs with a player from the opposing team about how ugly his girlfriend was. He was also a prized and humorous interview.
After he finished the 87-88 season with the Jazz, he was "traded" to Spain for Jose Ortiz. Actually, Turpin needed a new Team and the Jazz arranging his transfer to Spain, made Ortiz's club look kindly upon waving the restrictions they had placed on Ortiz. After a year in Europe, Turpin played one year of minor league ball before calling it quits. He later became a security guard, and reportedly enjoyed the work, eventually working for his alma mater of Kentucky. Turpin died of an apparent suicide in 2010. Nobody could point to any particular issue with money, drugs, or unhappiness, but his wife had been hospitalized with a severe stroke the week before.
Points 470
Rebounds 236
Blocks 68
Steals 26
Assists 32
Kentucky All-American Mel Turpin was drafted 6th in the greatest draft of all time in 1984, and never really lived up to the billing. Plagued by weight problems stretching back to his college days when the coaches hired students to turn away the pizza delivery man (Turpin had them meet him at his window) Mel was deridingly named "Dinner Bell Mel" or the "Mealman." By the time he got to Utah, he was pretty much on his last chance in the league. He would still, however, show shines of greatness. Generally, however, he spent a lot of time in Coach Frank Layden's doghouse. Turpin was also known to be a talker and was once involved in fisticuffs with a player from the opposing team about how ugly his girlfriend was. He was also a prized and humorous interview.
After he finished the 87-88 season with the Jazz, he was "traded" to Spain for Jose Ortiz. Actually, Turpin needed a new Team and the Jazz arranging his transfer to Spain, made Ortiz's club look kindly upon waving the restrictions they had placed on Ortiz. After a year in Europe, Turpin played one year of minor league ball before calling it quits. He later became a security guard, and reportedly enjoyed the work, eventually working for his alma mater of Kentucky. Turpin died of an apparent suicide in 2010. Nobody could point to any particular issue with money, drugs, or unhappiness, but his wife had been hospitalized with a severe stroke the week before.
Ellipse
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#26 Kent Benson
Points 329
Rebounds 231
Blocks 28
Steals 39
Assists 39
Mostly known as the dude we traded Adrian Dantley for (well him and the forgettable Kelly Tripucka. It really set the current rebuild back. . .) Kent played for Indiana in college and only turned in a perfect season as a the team's star as a junior in 1976 (perfect meaning that they didn't lose a single game regular and post season.) He was the number one pick out of college. He was never able to break out in the NBA and was a 10 and 6 average guy for most of his career. When he came to the Jazz in 86 playing time was sparse behind emerging stars Mark Eaton and Karl Malone. He only averaged 12 minutes a game. He went on to play 2 games for Indiana the next season before playing one season overseas in Italy. Also well known for breaking Abdul-Jabbar's hand with his Jaw in his first game in the NBA. The NBA counted Abdul-Jabbar's two month recovery time as a suspension because that is how the NBA has ALWAYS rolled with the Lakers.
Just getting caught up with the thread and I would like to say that Benson was probably the classiest guy to ever play for the Jazz. He bought around 100 season tickets in the upper bowl of the old Salt Palace and gave them out to school kids. I think it was called "Kent's Corner" or some such. Now that's giving back to the community!
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
"Dinner Bell Mel": Gobert starting to join pretty elite company.
Sad to read about Turpin's suicide. Players back in his days were grossly underpaid and the NBA and current players haven't done enough for them in terms of pensions and medical benefits.
Sad to read about Turpin's suicide. Players back in his days were grossly underpaid and the NBA and current players haven't done enough for them in terms of pensions and medical benefits.
.
addictionary
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addictionary
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Wiggle Wiggle?
addictionary
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framer
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I've been told not to spoil who is next on the list. I can tell you that Rudy needs a combination of 149 rebounds, points, assists, blocks, and steals to reach slot 21, and 276 to reach magical #20. It will become more difficult to move up from this point forward and he won't be passing milestones every couple of games. He is likely to pass maybe 6 more players this year. . .
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
What can I say...I like the surprise!
But I do like knowing the magical total to reach the next player. So a big thanks!
freakazoid
Well-Known Member
Rudy Gobert, 2014-15
3.7 blocks per 36 minutes (league leader)
5.4 blocks per 100 possessions (league leader)
8.0 BLK% (league leader)
1.01 block-to-foul ratio (3rd in the league behind Anthony Davis and Pau Gasol)
3.7 blocks per 36 minutes (league leader)
5.4 blocks per 100 possessions (league leader)
8.0 BLK% (league leader)
1.01 block-to-foul ratio (3rd in the league behind Anthony Davis and Pau Gasol)