Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
A week? He has 2 days before the Lakers game. Should be plenty of time to add another dimension to his game.
Rudy is the greatest Jazz player since Karl Malone.
- Thread starter Hotdog
- Start date
♪alt13
Well-Known Member
Anyone that is more worried about Gobert's weight than his knees, shins, ankles, feet must have a short memory. Too many uber talented bigs never realized their potential due to injury. If anything I would consider giving him a DNP/CD on the second night of a back to back. Let dem bones/joints heal a bit and adjust to being a starter in the NBA.
FalseFlagg K
Well-Known Member
you got that right ....
I've been raving about us finding the future defensive center who can pass and not be complete liability in offense ever since I joined the board. In a weird way I wasn't seeing that in Gobert. I thought Rudy had way too many deficiencies offensively and I definitely didn't realize that he can actually pass this well... Several months later I am beginning to think that we might have found what we are looking for.
His defensive potential was never in question, but I never thought he'd be so much ahead of schedule by the middle of this season. Right now he's arguably the best rim protector in the league and one of the best overall defensive bigs in the league. What completely has me shocked, though, is his passing. He flashed some nice passes in pre-season games, but his awareness and vision is actually much better than I thought prior to the start of this season. He passes out of the post to free spot up shooters, he passes inside the paint and in high low action, he finds the open man when double teamed inside. His high assist games in the last week are not a fluke. Rudy can actually pass! The biggest problem is that his passing and offense in general has been limited by his inability to keep the ball in his hands for long periods of times, or when going through traffic.
In other words, I have actually started viewing him as my potential dream center for the Jazz. I really hope he has one more jump in him. If he adds some offensive moves and manages to catch the ball better and keep it in his hands in traffic, I think we might have a real gem on our hands and a potential all-star caliber center in a few years time.
His defensive potential was never in question, but I never thought he'd be so much ahead of schedule by the middle of this season. Right now he's arguably the best rim protector in the league and one of the best overall defensive bigs in the league. What completely has me shocked, though, is his passing. He flashed some nice passes in pre-season games, but his awareness and vision is actually much better than I thought prior to the start of this season. He passes out of the post to free spot up shooters, he passes inside the paint and in high low action, he finds the open man when double teamed inside. His high assist games in the last week are not a fluke. Rudy can actually pass! The biggest problem is that his passing and offense in general has been limited by his inability to keep the ball in his hands for long periods of times, or when going through traffic.
In other words, I have actually started viewing him as my potential dream center for the Jazz. I really hope he has one more jump in him. If he adds some offensive moves and manages to catch the ball better and keep it in his hands in traffic, I think we might have a real gem on our hands and a potential all-star caliber center in a few years time.
To me Gobert is a jewel that has to be managed because big players are fragile : I wouldn't have him play more than 32 minutes a game routinely, just like I wouldn't have him get any bigger. the Jazz need to think long term with him, because he is potentially the golden ticket. A guy like Yao Ming, for his 4 best seasons between 2005 and 2009 he played 34, 34, 37 and 33 minutes a game, while still getting some little injuries. Than his body broke down age 28 and it was over. Sure guys are different, but the Jazz should really carefully manage Rudy's minutes, even if he looks sharp and able to go at it longer. Standard rotation at the 5 for the Jazz should be Gobert 32 minutes, replacements 16. On some given nights you might make him want to go all the way to 36/38, but very very rarely.
He might not be a house of cards, after all guys like Kareem or Mutombo had long careers playing lots of minutes, but that was 30 or 15 years ago already. more recently a guy like Camby has had a career interspersed with injuries. I would just want to be careful for the first few years of his career as a potential starter. all you need with such big fellows is one nasty little injury to a foot and it can go downhill pretty quickly. Being prudent with the Gobert's body we have is a lot better than trying to optimize his body any further and messing it up.
Lakers_Slapper
Well-Known Member
I can't believe that someone would post this thread. Greatest since Malone?? Even if you have someone that has great stats game after game, and has the best running numbers since Malone, you still don't put them in the same sentence. Malone is the 2nd all time scorer in NBA history. He took us to the playoffs 18 years in a row!! Gobert is a damn good player but you have the audacity to mention his name as the next best player to Malone??? I have to ask you, how long have you watched basketball?? The next question is, when did you last leave the comfort of your superman comforter, ninja turtles pajamas, and the your hello kitty decorated bedroom in the basement of your gam gam's house?
seattlejazzfan
Well-Known Member
That's a fun post by somebody who has never seen Rudy Gobert play the game of basketball.
But, yes Laker, I agree Karl Malone was a very good player.
Getting Traded
Banned
Don't get so excited. This is all based on potential, and the potential is surely there. If Rudy can develop an offensive game, he'll be the best center in the NBA. He already is the best rim protector and arguably the best defensive center in the league.
akirac73
Well-Known Member
Agree...it reminds me of one of those Holiday Inn commercials.
Hotdog
Well-Known Member
Why are your panties in a bunch? What does mentioning Malone and Gobert in the same sentence have to do with anything? I just did it there and it didn't mean anything.
In no way did I disparage Malone. That's all in your head my friend.
The Blue Elephant
Well-Known Member
Just because Rudy is big doesn't Automatically mean he is fragile. Wilt Chamberlain played a lot of minutes. So did Abdul Jabar. So did Shaq despite weighing much more and jumping around dunking all the time. Just in recent history with Greg Oden and Yao we have recency bias. I agree the chance is higher for big man but lets not pretend it is a gaurentee.
freakazoid
Well-Known Member
Nah, veji1 is spot on. Injuries with guys this size are almost inevitable. That doesn't mean it's going to end his career, but Rudy's athleticism is a huge part of his game and it's likely at some point that injuries will rob him of his dominance, even if it doesn't end his career. Once a guy this size starts having problems with their feet/ankles/knees, they can go from special to average in a hurry. Rudy is an incredibly special player, so Utah needs to try and extend his career for as long as possible.