Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Christmas: A Gift For Every Team’s Wish List

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
30 of 31
Next
NBA
Nov 23, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) warms up prior to the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah Jazz

The Resurrection Of The Stifle Tower

Without Rudy Gobert in the lineup this season, the Utah Jazz are 4-9. With the Stifle Tower manning the middle, the Jazz have been a superb defense, holding opponents to 99.8 points per 100 possessions (10th in the league). In his recent 11-game absence, that number has dropped to 107.9 points per 100 possessions (26th). That’s a pretty steep drop-off.

With their defensive anchor healthy, Utah has an identity. Derrick Favors is having a career year and Gordon Hayward has come around after a slow start, but this team’s greatest strength still lies on the defensive end.

With Gobert still nursing a knee injury, his return likely won’t be until mid or late January. This Christmas gift may be about a month late, but the Jazz desperately need it to make good on their potential as a playoff team this season.

Next: Washington Wizards