The Utah Jazz elected against signing Enes Kanter to an extension before the Halloween deadline, effectively allowing the fourth-year big man to enter restricted free agency this summer. While there isn’t one single factor that contributed to the decision of GM Dennis Lindsey and company, the presence of backup center Rudy Gobert surely loomed larger than any other. Watch the behemoth Frenchman show off his wholly unique blend of length and athleticism by dunking on a pair of Atlanta Hawks defenders and swatting a layup into the stands just a few possessions later.
Players of Gobert’s size – 7-2 with a 7-9 wingspan and 9-7 standing reach – have always been few and far between in the league, and fewer still are those that were anything more than situational paint-protectors. It’s simply difficult for men of such immense dimensions to possess the coordination and fluidity necessary to thrive in a game so fast.
But Gobert is the rare exception. Not only is the 22 year-old fleet of foot, but he has strong hands and quick leaping ability, too. Once his understanding and comfort improve, there’s every reason to believe that Gobert can be a starting NBA center.
In just his second season, he’s already making plays like these just several possessions apart:
It’s too early to say whether or not Gobert or Kanter will pair with Derrick Favors in Utah’s frontcourt of the future. Both are effective players already with room to grow, and the latter is an especially good fit next to Favors now that he’s migrated beyond the three-point line. The Jazz need that spacing on offense, an attribute that Gobert won’t ever be able to offer.
But whether it’s in Utah or otherwise is likely irrelevant – it’s only a matter of time until Gobert is entrenched as a team’s starting center. And considering sequences like tonight’s against Atlanta, he seems primed to develop into a very good one.
Do you think Gobert is a future starter?
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