ESPN’s Tim MacMahon looked at the recent play of Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert after Utah’s 82-73 win over the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday.
Talking about Gobert’s play of late, MacMahon writes, “Gobert has a pretty good idea of how well he has been playing for the sizzling Jazz, who have won 11 of 13 games despite playing without point guard George Hill for most of that stretch. If you don’t believe me, just ask Gobert who he believes is the best center in the NBA.”
MacMahon then quotes Gobert, saying, “To be honest, right now, I think it’s me.”
MacMahon continued, “It’s not like the French big fella has just been feasting on the weak, either. Far from it. (Marc) Gasol, who outplayed Gobert in the Grizzlies’ road win last month, is the latest on a list of premier centers whom Gobert has gotten the best of recently.”
MacMahon then broke down the elite centers in the game who Gobert has had success against recently, saying, “Miami’s Hassan Whiteside, Atlanta’s Dwight Howard, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and Gasol have averaged 11.2 points on 30.1 percent shooting in their matchups with Gobert over the last month. Gobert’s numbers in those five games, four of which Utah won: 14 points, 13.2 rebounds and 4.0 blocks, hitting 77.4 percent of his field-goal attempts. Utah was plus-66 with him on the floor.”
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