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When Rudy Gobert's left foot rolled awkwardly in last week's game at Cleveland, a fan base had to hold its breath.
There's a lot more riding on that left ankle than just Gobert's 7-foot-1 frame.
In the end, the Jazz were fortunate that Gobert's injury was not more serious; it caused him to miss only two games (both losses) on the road trip. But the center's momentary absence exposed what has been an early weakness: the team's backup big men.
So far this year, forward Trevor Booker hasn't matched his production of a season ago. Rookie Trey Lyles owns the worst plus-minus on the team. And backup 7-footers Tibor Pleiss and Jeff Withey haven't been able to win regular playing time.
"It really puts a spotlight on your bench," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said of Gobert's absence. "… You've got to keep your skills current. You've got to stay in condition. You've got to keep your mind right as far as what the team's doing on the court. If you don't do those things, when called upon you're just not going to be as efficient. I think it's important for our guys to learn that — and unfortunately sometimes those lessons are learned the hard way."
Booker has the highest expectations of any of Utah's reserve big men after putting together a solid campaign together last season. But so far, he's shooting 29 percent from the floor (down from nearly 49 percent last year). He has yet to attempt a free throw.
But Booker and the Jazz don't seem overly concerned.
"I feel great," Booker said. "I think I'm playing great basketball. The scoring is not there right now, which is not a concern. They don't look to me to score. They look to me to bring energy and that's what I'm doing."
Home sweet home
Many of his friends and family were on hand to watch Atlanta native Derrick Favors beat the Hawks last weekend in the city where he grew up. But for the Jazz forward, there's no place like his adopted home during basketball season.
"For me, personally, I miss my kids, basically," the new father of twin girls said Tuesday, glad to be back at practice in Salt Lake City. "Being on the road that much, I haven't had a chance to really spend time with them."
The Jazz have played the fewest home games of any team in the NBA: Wednesday's contest against Toronto just their third this season at Vivint Arena.
"It's just great to be back home," Booker said.
Utah has opened with eight of their first 10 games on the road and sit at 5-5. And as unkind as the schedule has looked on its face, Snyder has called the team's two home games against Portland and Memphis, as well as Wednesday's home game against Toronto, equally tough.
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