Looking into the crystal ball: Utah Jazz predictions for 2019-20
By Dean Hasan
5. Rudy Gobert makes an All-Defensive team
Rudy Gobert making an All-Defensive team is a fairly safe bet, barring any significant injury. The Stifle Tower has made First Team All-Defensive each of the last three seasons and he’s won Defensive Player of the Year for the past two. Even if he does miss some time, his defense is so suffocating that he’ll make for a great candidate regardless.
In the 2017-18 season, Gobert played just 56 games, yet still won DPOY and made First Team All-Defensive.
Without the 6-foot-10 Derrick Favors to man the middle with him, Gobert will have more shots to contest and the brunt of the team’s interior defensive responsibilities will fall upon him. That being said, with Gobert’s resume, he’s certainly up to the challenge.
Last season he ranked first in defensive box plus/minus, second in blocks and defensive win shares, and fourth in defensive rating and value over replacement player.
Furthermore, between the other starters the Jazz have capable perimeter defenders who can slow opposing guards and wings on their way to the cup, allowing Gobert more time to rotate and challenge shots effectively. Gobert has been the anchor of this Utah defense for the last few seasons, and ostensibly, he’ll continue to do so at the same level going forward.