Rudy Gobert and his Jazz teammates are doing well, thank you for them.
The Salt Lake City club still sits at the top of the NBA standings (32v-11d) and the international tricolor pivot turns super, with 14.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 3 blocks on average.
Gobert has also signed a game with 9 blocks in recent days, against Chicago.
Personal record.
"When you make a success of a counter, the adrenaline wins you, it is your domination that is expressed, he tells
AFP.
.
It was a surprise to the opponent who thought to score.
Afterwards, the defensive act is not limited to this gesture which is obviously visual and holds the attention.
In every game there are players who come and turn around when they see me, when they don't walk or lose the ball.
This deterrent impact is the most important for me. ”
Best defender, "a recurring goal"
Note that the Frenchman occupies second place in the rebounders and blockers standings this season, being preceded only by the former Chalonnais Clint Capela (Atlanta, 14.2 rebounds / game) and Myles Turner (Indiana, 3.4 blocks / match) in these two statistical categories.
So many arguments to aim for a third title of best defender, after 2018 and 2019. A trophy which represents "a recurring objective" for the ex-Choletais, in competition this year with Ben Simmons of Philadelphia and a few others.
"
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But Gobert & Company's real goal is to turn the table around and win the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the first in Utah franchise history.
Karl Malone, John Stockton and others had climbed to the final twice in the 90s, before falling to the Bulls.
“Our progress is constant every year, but this season, the workforce is full, there is a lot of talent, we have an experienced bench, a very good coach ... We have all the pieces to build a good team.
We want to continue to progress, to play our best basketball when the play-offs arrive, "he explains, stressing that the opposing teams" really give the best of themselves every night "against Jazz.
And for good reason, Quin Snyder's players have “the team label to beat.
For us, it's new, it's a different approach compared to previous seasons.
At this level too, we have taken a mental step forward, promises the pivot of the France team.
We have our destiny in our hands.
We are starting to understand it collectively. ”
"To understand the impact of a player like me, you need more basketball knowledge than to appreciate a player with 30 points per game"
Rudy Gobert
However, despite this status of number 1 in the league, Utah is struggling to find a place in the sun, to see its performances recognized at their fair value.
Collectively, a habit for "small markets", but also individually.
Gobert does not care.
“I have sometimes felt frustration in recent years, telling me that we did not know my value, he says.
But I came to accept that the fans would rather see the great deeds than focus on the smallest details.
This shadow work gives me pleasure.
To understand the impact of a player like me, it takes more basketball knowledge than to appreciate a player at 30 points per game.
It doesn't bother me and it's normal!
The real reward for me is in the victory to which I contribute. ”
In the meantime, Gobert and his little comrades continue on their way, without worrying about others and comments.
They face Ja Morant's Memphis Grizzlies next night (2 a.m.), in Salt Lake City, to consolidate their leadership status in the Western Conference standings ahead of Phoenix (29v-14d) and the two LA clubs (30v- 16d for the Clippers, 28v-17d for the Lakers).
“I play basketball first because I like it,” says Gobert, a recent signatory to a $ 205 million contract over five years.
I love competition, I am very proud to defend my honor, that of my team, of my country. ”
A country that will need him badly next summer, during the Tokyo Olympics.
It will be from July 23 to August 8.
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