Utah Jazz: Time To Start Rudy Gobert & Dante Exum?
There is no way to see millions of stars on a dark night.
A person with good eyesight can only see up to 2,500 stars at any time. The reason people can’t see a millions stars at night is because we’re not physically capable. Currently the Utah Jazz are a team that has a million stars on their roster (hyperbole) but they aren’t physically capable of using them.
The Jazz had one of the biggest litmus tests of the year when they played against the red-hot Golden State Warriors on the road. The Warriors played extremely aggressive on offense and managed to get ahead early on a 19-6 run. The Jazz couldn’t guard Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes and they both went off for 14 points in the game.
In a game where the Jazz got overpowered by one of the best teams in the Western Conference there were questions that arose such as “Should coach Quin Synder consider starting Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert?”
What we continue to fail to see is that the Jazz have a bunch of stars on their roster even though this team is inside of a dark night. Regardless of the dark night that continues to follow the Jazz now, they have sunshine in their immediate future.
The Jazz have prospects on their bench that could help them win now, such as center Gobert and the point guard, Exum.
The Jazz have two weaknesses in their starting lineup, one of them is their defense.
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Well call Gobert, Fix It Felix; the defense that he plays when he’s in the game inspires the rest of his teammates.
The backup center Gobert is one of the tallest stars that plays for the Jazz. The 7’1″ center has developed a lot and is playing like he’s a starting center. Defensively players attempt to get to the rim but Gobert is so quick that he cuts other bigs off. With his strength the smaller forwards and centers get outmatched as well.
Anything that Snyder needs on the court from the center position Gobert gives him. He’s a good help-side defender or and he’s agile enough to play on ball defense. Placing Gobert in the lineup for Enes Kanter only allows Kanter to come in the game and score points as he loves to do.
On the season Gobert is averaging 5.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, all in 16 minutes of playing time. Gobert blocks more shots every 16 minutes than Kanter does in three games.
The defense would get shored up with Gobert in the starting five. To throw in a plus, Gobert doesn’t need plays called for him. When he gets into the game he looks to set a screen and roll to the basket.
Speaking of pick and rolls, the Jazz have one player that loves that style of play, the backup point guard Dante Exum. The Jazz’s second-worst problem is their lack of playmaking in the starting lineup. The NBA has gone to a lot of two point guard sets and the Jazz have the people to run it, why shouldn’t they?
With Exum playing next to Trey Burke it allows Burke to get open and spot up and make important shots. It also opens up the floor for Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors because they would get the basketball more, as they need to.
The Jazz are 11th per game in the NBA in assists, but a lot of that comes from Burke and Hayward. If Exum who already has had multiple five assists games this year comes into the starting lineup they’ll be able to get even easier scores and it gives them a willing defender.
One of the most exciting plays in the Jazz and Warriors game came when Exum had to sub in. With 31 seconds on the regular clock and only 10 seconds on the shot clock, rookie Joe Ingles passed the ball to Exum, who waited in the corner.
Exum gets the ball with 4.5 seconds remaining, takes one dribble to his left and throws up a beautiful alley oop lob to Gobert. The face of Gobert’s almost met the rim but he finished that one-handed alley oop with power and grace.
The fact that Exum is seeing the floor in such a large way is amazing. In the 18 minutes a game that Exum gets, he’s making the most of it.
With Exum on the court the Jazz become a better half-court team because of his decisions on the pick and roll, his movements on finding open spots and his newfound confidence to attempt and knock down jump shots.
Where it helps the Jazz the most is when Alec Burks has to come off the bench. Burks could once again come from the bench but this time he would have more productivity. If Burks were to ever come from the bench he could win the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Regardless of whatever Snyder ends up choosing for his lineup one theme is for sure: Gratitude and thankfulness should stay on the minds in Utah, this team is still trending upwards.