Rudy Gobert is a paradox. Take this soaring slam through the teeth of the Memphis Grizzlies’ defense, for instance.
A 7-2 man shouldn’t be able to so quickly catch at the key, take one dribble, and explode for an off-hand power slam in traffic. It’s precisely the Frenchman’s insane length, though, that makes him among the few even remotely capable of pulling off such a feat. Make sense?
Some of the best players in the world share Gobert’s quality of self-contradiction. LeBron James is too big and strong to move so swiftly; Kevin Durant is too long to dribble like a point guard; and Dirk Nowitzki is too tall to be one of basketball’s best shooters.
We’re not saying the Utah Jazz’s sophomore center will soon join that exalted trio among the game’s elite. But sequences like this coupled with a 15-point, 24-rebound effort certainly make it seem a possibility at the very least.
The Jazz beat the short-handed Grizzlies 93-82 on Tuesday night, moving to 5-1 since dealing Enes Kanter at the trade deadline.
