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SALT LAKE CITY — Bravo, Rudy Gobert, for stating the exact sentiment that virtually every NBA fan — save for those in one or two markets — wants to hear.
In the press conference after winning his first Defensive Player of the Year award, Gobert was asked if he would consider leaving the Jazz to pursue winning an NBA championship. His response should warm the hearts of anyone — which should be everyone — against top players joining forces to form super teams.
We’re looking at you, Kevin Durant, who has won two championships with the Golden State Warriors since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder. We’re also looking at you, LeBron James, who teamed with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to win two titles with the Miami Heat.
Gobert sees no need to gravy train the easy way. In the long run, his way of thinking is best for the league to maintain competitive balance.
“I take so much pride into what we are building right now as a team,” he said. “To me, it means more than to just go and chase a championship or ride somebody’s boat. I think no matter what happens, what we’re building, it means more than anything.”
Well said. But he wasn’t done ingratiating himself to Jazz fans.
.@rudygobert27 dedicates #KiaDPOY Award to @utahjazz and family. #NBAAwardspic.twitter.com/HrmXjVcwty
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 26, 2018
“I truly believe we’re going to win a championship in the future, but it would mean so much more the way — all the things we’ve been through as a group and as an organization — that it has more value, I think, for me (to win with the Jazz).”
Since Durant announced his decision two years ago on July 4 to sign with the Warriors, it erased most of the mystery out of the NBA playoffs. In Durant’s first season, Golden State swept through the Western Conference before dispatching James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in five games in the finals. This season, perhaps falling victim to a bit of boredom, the Warriors lost five games in the preliminary rounds and then swept the Cavs to repeat as champions.
In terms of winning the ultimate prize, the Warriors have done the obvious. And the dominance may continue for several years.
Maybe Gobert’s team can break the streak.
“It’s fun to hear that,” former Jazz center Mark Eaton said of Gobert’s commitment to staying with the Jazz.
After winning the 2017-18 #KiaDPOY... we showcase @rudygobert27's TOP 10 DEFENSIVE PLAYS of the season! pic.twitter.com/pmWqEaZcVn
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2018
In an interview with DJ and PK on 97.5-FM and 1280-AM The Zone, Eaton thought back to his time with the Jazz in the 1980s. Much like the current situation, in his era, the Jazz were in the process of acquiring talent to make an extended run in the playoffs.
Eaton, who twice won the award for Defensive Player of the Year, can relate to Gobert’s position. As easily as Durant won two championships, most situations offer no guarantees. Even Miami’s super team lost in the playoffs.
As the Jazz continue to improve, Gobert and his teammates stand good chances at achieving additional individual awards. Whatever Jazz players are looking for, Eaton believes they can earn it together in Utah.
“You have a recognition as a member of that team that there are things going on and you get to be a part of it,” Eaton said. “That’s as much or more fun, I think, than trying to roll the dice and see where else I might be able to fit in. You’re getting playing time, you’re in a great market, the team’s on the rise, why would you want to leave?”
