This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If you are a Utah Jazz fan, you still may have some pause, because while Rudy Gobert was dominant on Saturday night, he was dominant against the Los Angeles Lakers. These days, having a great game versus that team has gotten almost embarrassingly easy.
At the same time, there were things Gobert did in Utah's 109-82 at at Vivint Smart Home Arena that he hasn't done since returning 10 days ago from the sprained knee that cost him over a month of the season: The ability to finish plays. The timing of his shot blocking. His rare ability to get up and down the court with speed for a big man. All were on display, as Gobert was without question the best Jazz player on the floor against a depleted Lakers team.
The 7-foot-1 center finished with 18 points, 18 rebounds and five blocked shots, his best overall outing of the season. He became the first Jazz player to post those kind of numbers since Rich Kelley in 1979. He's only the second NBA player this season — Detroit's Andre Drummond is the other — to post those specific numbers. As the minutes went by on Saturday, it was clear Gobert was the man in the middle, figuratively and literally.
"He was huge for us tonight," Utah small forward Gordon Hayward said. "That's how we expect him to play. I know that he is just getting back with his knee and everything, getting into a rhythm. He was really good for us tonight."
Gobert did most of his damage against Roy Hibbert, who is now a mere fraction of the defensive player of the year candidate he used to be when he was with the Indiana Pacers. Gobert quickly coaxed Hibbert into foul trouble with relentless rebounding. He beat Hibbert consistently up and down the floor. He shut down the lane defensively. Offensively, he scored his 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Gobert said he's getting a rhythm now, finding a comfort zone after having to re-integrate himself with his teammates. But the real test for him comes next week when the Jazz take on a four game trip through the Eastern Conference. Will he be as good against stiffer competition? Will he be able to dominate against frontcourts who can offer more resistance than the Lakers can?
That's what Hayward and the rest of the Jazz would like to see. The old Rudy Gobert who offered a significant presence every night on both ends.
"I'm feeling better and better with each passing game," Gobert said. "My teammates are looking for me. I'm rolling to the basket and they are doing a great job of finding me. I feel better every night."
twitter: @tjonessltrib • Rudy Gobert in 30 minutes posted a +29, a symbol of how well the Jazz played with him on the floor
• Gobert posted season-high's in points and rebounds in the win over the Lakers
• Gobert also made 6-7 from the free-throw line