Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert makes all-NBA defensive first team

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) looks for the pass over the defense of LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) and LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3). The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is fouled by LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) as LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) assists. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is fouled by LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) as LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) assists. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, celebrates after a second half dunk by forward Trey Lyles. The Jazz easily beat the Atlanta Hawks 95-68, Friday November 25, 2016.

Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) gets one of his five blocks against Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) as the Jazz beat the Atlanta Hawks 95-68, Friday November 25, 2016.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) battles LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) in the paint. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) battles LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) in the paint. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks over the Clippers. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series.

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Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) looks for the pass over the defense of LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) and LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3). The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is fouled by LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) as LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) assists. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is fouled by LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) as LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) assists. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, celebrates after a second half dunk by forward Trey Lyles. The Jazz easily beat the Atlanta Hawks 95-68, Friday November 25, 2016. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) gets one of his five blocks against Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) as the Jazz beat the Atlanta Hawks 95-68, Friday November 25, 2016. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) battles LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) in the paint. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) battles LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) in the paint. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks over the Clippers. The Utah Jazz trail the Los Angeles Clippers 59-62 in the third quarter during Game 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 28, 2017 during the NBA's first-round playoff series.

By Kyle Goon The Salt Lake Tribune

· June 26, 2017 5:48 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has made the all-NBA defensive first team, the league announced Monday morning.

Gobert led the NBA in blocks (2.6 per game) patrolling the paint with his 7-foot-8 wingspan, on his way to a landslide election to one of the five best defenders in the NBA. It's Gobert's first all-NBA defensive team selection, getting 97 out of 99 possible first-team votes. Gobert has averaged at least two blocks per game in each of his last three seasons.

The 25-year-old center was also selected to his first all-NBA team this season, earning second team honors after averaging a career-best 14.0 ppg and 12.8 rpg for the Jazz, who went to the second round of the playoffs this year.

Gobert was joined on the first team by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who received 99 first-place votes and is considered his toughest competition for defensive player of the year honors which will be announced Monday evening. San Antonio Spurs wing Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley also made the first team.

Utah's George Hill also received a vote for defensive honors.

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon