Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert Challenges Teammates To Improve
By Jason Oliver
Rudy Gobert has high expectations for this Utah Jazz team and after a tough week, voiced his displeasure and challenged his teammates to improve.
If ever you thought Rudy Gobert‘s ultimate goal wasn’t to lead the Utah Jazz to the promised land, his scathing review of his teammate’s performance in their 108-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers removes any doubt.
Talking to ESPN, Gobert voiced his frustrations at the lack of team focus from a select few Jazz players.
Gobert refrained from naming names but as speculation grows, so does the fire in his belly to carry the Jazz through at least the first round of the playoffs.
"“We’ve got guys that compete, but some of us don’t compete. Some of us just think about scoring,”"
To do that, the Jazz will need to adopt some mongrel and instill fear into the opposition, especially when they have visitors to Utah in the first round.
Related Story: Utah Jazz--25 Best Players
The Jazz as a franchise have always been low stress and with it has come somewhat of a soft reputation.
Rudy wants to change that:
"“Coach keeps repeating it: We’ve just got to compete. We’re too nice. Those guys, we know they’re going to get calls. We’ve just got to come out aggressive and ready to fight.”"
Through his comments in the media, Gobert has challenged his teammates to put the team before personal gain and prove it with hard and aggressive play on the court:
"“I think everybody needs to think about making plays for the team, making winning plays, before thinking about how many points we’re going to score and stuff like that, everybody has to be ready to sacrifice. In the playoffs, it’s not going to be pretty. There’s going to be some games where you don’t score. But are you going to take a charge for a teammate? Are you going to come and box out DeAndre [Jordan] for a teammate?”"
What we do know is that Gobert will practice what he preaches and will be the first one to lead by example when the Jazz face the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
As a leading candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award, the Stifle Tower has arguably taken control of this team — on the court anyway.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
Upon his inevitable re-signing, Gordon Hayward will continue to be the face of the franchise with his contract, endorsements and standing in the team among fans confirming that.
What these comments have proven is Gobert is the voice — he’s the leader, if he’s not the best player.
How the team responds will be evident against the Pelicans.
Will the rest of the team use the comments as fuel to raise to Gobert’s intensity level and be on par with his desire to win, or take offense and create dysfunction in a previously stress-free franchise?
Airing out a team’s dirty laundry isn’t always the best way to voice displeasure, but in this case it may just work. All eyes will now be on how the Jazz counters the comments of Gobert and if it results in an improvement that sees this team run deep into the playoffs.
Next: 50 Greatest Duos Of All-Time
The team is good enough, but is the attitude? Gobert wasn’t waiting to find out.