The Triple Team: 3 thoughts on Jazz vs. Kings


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SALT LAKE CITY — Three thoughts on the Jazz's 104-84 win over the Sacramento Kings from KSL.com's Utah Jazz beat writer, Andy Larsen.

1. Rudy Gobert dominates DeMarcus Cousins

Before the game, I asked Quin Snyder what Rudy Gobert and the Jazz needed to do to stop DeMarcus Cousins. "He's virtually unstoppable because he can score from so many spots on the floor, so it's really more a question of how you can try to make him less efficient."

Well, Gobert stopped the virtually unstoppable. Cousins finished with just 16 points (he averages 28) on 7-22 shooting. Gobert was in the game when Cousins was for all but 2:23 of the 34 minutes Cousins played, blocked his shot twice, and sent him to the line for only three free-throw attempts (he averages 10).

Heck, even that paltry total of seven field goals makes Gobert look worse than he was against Cousins. Three of those came in situations when other Jazz players got switched on Gobert, two of them were jump shots that the Jazz almost encouraged Cousins to take, and one was an offensive rebounding opportunity that Gobert couldn't have done anything about. Cousins scored just one basket on Gobert in the paint.

Look at this block! He stays with Cousins throughout a long drive, battles strong against the attempted bully-ball shoulder, then rises with Cousins and blocks him. It's absurd.

DENIED 🚫🚫🚫 Tonight's @AFCU Instant Rewind! ⏪#TakeNote#SACatUTApic.twitter.com/odT8UhCYUA — Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 11, 2016

Gobert said this about stopping Cousins: "The first block was very important. The first play of the game, and someone's trying to dunk on you, you kind of have to make a statement. For Cousins, he's one of the best players in the league at his position, so you can't give him any space and you also have to make sure you move your feet because he's pretty quick and pretty strong."

Oh, and by the way, he was terrific again on the offensive end. He had 17 points on only six shots, and 14 rebounds. His hands have gotten drastically better: he's getting some really tough rebounds that no other player can get to, due to his ridiculous length.

After the game, Gobert tweeted this:

> Way to defend our homecourt tonight. [\#TakeNote](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TakeNote?src=hash) [\#takefnnote](https://twitter.com/hashtag/takefnnote?src=hash) > > — Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) [December 11, 2016](https://twitter.com/rudygobert27/status/807809847412465664)

And national media is starting to, well, take note. ESPN's Zach Lowe has been in Salt Lake City all week long, and tweeted this:

> Biggest thing that jumps out watching Jazz all week in person -- even more than on TV: Rudy Gobert got awesome. Playing with such force. > > — Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe\_NBA) [December 11, 2016](https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/807797741686583296)

Gobert's special, everyone. The Jazz are very lucky to have him.

2. Keeping turnovers down

The Jazz had 22 turnovers as a team tonight, which was the biggest factor that allowed the Kings to keep it close. That was especially true at the beginning of first halves, where the Jazz gave up four straight turnovers to start the game and in three out of four possessions to start the second half. That led to 11-0 and 10-0 runs at the beginning of each half.

In the end, the Kings scored 36 points on those 22 turnovers. That the Jazz still had an 89 defensive rating despite the offense throwing the ball all over the court is remarkable. No one player was responsible: everyone on the team had a turnover tonight, save Jeff Withey. Everyone in the starting lineup had at least two.

Snyder said the turnovers were a result of "just sloppy play."

"We haven't practiced in a while, sometimes that contributes to it when you are not as organized and not as sharp. But as much as anything, it was lack of concentration or lack of precision."

The Jazz won't be able to get away with that against better half-court teams. That being said, having George Hill, Rodney Hood and Derrick Favors in the lineup definitely would have helped compared to the relatively turnover-prone Dante Exum, Joe Ingles, and Boris Diaw.

3. Can Gordon Hayward make the All-Star game?

Gordon Hayward put up 26 points (on 9-19 shooting), seven rebounds, and three assists tonight, and it looked like he wasn't even playing well. He's become so consistent and efficient, and he's well on his way to his best NBA season.

It may also be the best offensive season for the Jazz in a long time. For one, tonight was his 10th consecutive 20-point game. He's the first Jazz player to do that since Karl Malone in 2001. No, Gordon Hayward is not as good as Karl Malone. But that's a pretty impressive comparison for Hayward.

Can he make the All-Star game? Well, it's possible. There will probably be between six and eight forwards selected for the game in the Western Conference. Here's his competition:

  • LaMarcus Aldridge
  • DeMarcus Cousins
  • Anthony Davis
  • Kevin Durant
  • Marc Gasol
  • Rudy Gobert
  • Draymond Green
  • Blake Griffin
  • DeAndre Jordan
  • Kawhi Leonard
  • Karl-Anthony Towns
Davis, Durant, Griffin, and Leonard are no-doubters, in my opinion. Gasol has been incredible for Memphis this year, I think he should go. Beyond that, though, Hayward might have a chance to beat most of Aldridge (having a down year), Cousins (still not winning), Gobert (not many points), Green (having his points squeezed out), Jordan (still good), and Towns (maybe still a step away). It'll be very close, though.

We'll have a more detailed look at this later in the season, when coaches' voting takes place. But for now, keep an eye on Hayward and his All-Star competition.

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