Utah Jazz: The Impact Of Rudy Gobert’s Injury

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert‘s injury is a big loss due to the impact he has on the court every night.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert suffered a MCL sprain in practice on Wednesday, according to NBA.com.  Gobert’s injury will keep him out indefinitely, which will have a significant impact on the team.  Gobert will not need to have surgery, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

Gobert, 23, emerged onto the national scene during the 2014-15 season with his defensive prowess and rebounding abilities.  This season, Gobert has started in all 14 games that he has played in.  He has provided very similar production from last season with a slight improvement.

With the injury, the Jazz are losing an elite rim protector and a strong rebounder.  Gobert is averaging 2.64 blocks per game this season, which is third in the NBA.  He is tied for sixth in the NBA with Anthony Davis in rebounds per game and averages 10.9 per game.

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Gobert’s physical presence is intimidating, but it hasn’t stopped players from attacking the rim against the Jazz.  Now opponents will have better opportunities at attacking the rim with success due to Gobert’s injury.

In advanced statistics, the NBA’s career leader for block percentage, which a metric that estimates the percentage of two-point field goal attempts a defensive player blocks while on the court according to Sportingcharts.com, is Shawn Bradley with a 7.83 percent block percentage.

Gobert’s block percentage this season is 6.7 percent, which is down from his career average of 7 percent.  Gobert is one of the league’s best shot blockers in the NBA, and he’s only in his third season.

One of the NBA’s most well-known shot blockers, Dikembe Mutombo, holds a block percentage of 6.28 percent.  Through 14 games, Gobert’s block percentage is the lowest of his career and still beats Mutombo’s block percentage.  Gobert’s shot blocking skills are elite, and he has had some highlight reel blocks.

It may not be possible to replace Gobert’s elite shot blocking, but the Jazz need to find an answer in his absence.  There are several options going forward, and it may allow players to step up and earn an increased role.

Nov 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (center) shoots between Miami Heat forward Josh McRoberts (left) and Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (right) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (center) shoots between Miami Heat forward Josh McRoberts (left) and Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (right) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Who will step up for the Jazz during Gobert’s absence?

Jazz head coach Quin Snyder will have to make adjustments to his lineups and rotations.  Gobert enabled the Jazz to go with a bigger lineup without a point guard at times.  His 7-foot-1 frame keeps him at the center position, but the Jazz have a special combination with power forward Derrick Favors, who is 6-foot-10.

The two use their height and wingspan to average a combined 19.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game.

Losing Gobert means that Favors is going to need to have an increased presence on the defensive end.  The Jazz may increase the roles of power forward Trevor Booker and center Tibor Pleiss.  Booker is currently averaging 20.8 minutes per game and averages 5.7 rebounds per game.  Pleiss, a rookie, has only played in four games this season.

But his 7-foot-3 frame could provide him an opportunity to get playing time at center and make a contribution with Gobert out.

Pleiss has professional experience overseas.  Last year he played 25 games with Barcelona and averaged 3.9 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 13.1 minutes per game.  It is worth a shot to give Pleiss an opportunity to show his skill-set and attempt to have a defensive impact.

Rookie forward Trey Lyles will also have an opportunity with an increased role.  Lyles has played in 14 games and has started two this season.  He provides a more athletic option at the power forward position, or as a small forward if the Jazz want to go with a big lineup.

Lyles would be effective as a power forward when running in transition due to the way he played in college at Kentucky.

The loss of Gobert may lead the Jazz to play a more traditional lineup with more guard play.  With the emergence of Rodney Hood, the Jazz can go smaller and use their guards to step up their perimeter defense.

A smaller, more athletic lineup would allow the Jazz to create more turnovers and get in transition.  It would also give Favors an opportunity to work as the lone big man and would create numerous three-point opportunities with their three-point shooters.

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The loss of Gobert is going to show itself on the defensive end of the court.  The Jazz may be able to provide a better offensive output with Gobert off of the court.  Players are going to need to step up defensively, but the Jazz’s offense will have a better flow and should be better.

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