Rudy Gobert says creative DPOY campaign makes him 'want to work even harder'

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

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SALT LAKE CITY — The first time Rudy Gobert listened to jazz music was on Thursday night.

“It’s actually relaxing,” Gobert said. “It’s pretty good. I have never really gotten into it, so I have to dig in.”

Why start listening to it now? Well, it’s easier to dive into the genre when you’re on the cover of your own jazz album — fake or not.

But expanding Gobert’s musical palette isn’t the only thing the Utah Jazz’s unique, not to mention extremely well done, campaign for Gobert’s second Defensive Player of the Year award in which they re-created a classic John Coltrane album into “Gobert/Encore 2019” has done.

It has once again shown Gobert just how much he means to the organization and how much they want to see him succeed.

“It means a lot,” Gobert said. “I’m always thankful having guys that are having my back. … Like the All-Star Game, I can feel that it wasn't just disappointing me but disappointing the whole organization. It means a lot and it makes me want to work even harder for this organization.”

Jazz vice president of communications Derek Garduno said the team “didn’t spare any expense” in producing the album — and that shows.

You can see the amount of thought put into the project as you examine it. There are small details everywhere — from Gobert’s Jazz teammates serving as the bandmates to the album being a “Take Note production in association with Stifle Tower Enterprises.”

The track titles are all based off real Coltrane songs and the track's lengths are all significant.

1. Selflessness, 24:07

This is a nod toward Gobert’s unselfishness — something he displayed while talking about the campaign on Friday. As he discussed the possibility of winning the award a second year, he gave his teammates and coaches the credit.

“It’s history and it’s something I take a lot of pride in,” Gobert said. “But like I always say, you don’t play great defense by yourself. You need everyone to be on board — the coaching staff to be on board and my teammates. I anchor it obviously, but if they don’t do what they are doing there is no Defensive Player of the Year.”

2. Chasin’ in the Lane, 2:20

Gobert was averaging 2.20 blocks per game on March 3 (when the record needed to be sent out for production). Gobert has upped that to 2.3 over the last month. He is also averaging 2.20 blocks per game over his career.

3. The Night Has a Thousand Blocks, 8:45

As of March 3, Gobert had 845 career blocks. That number now stands at 887.

4. Mr. D.P.O.Y, 20:18

Gobert won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2018.

5. Giant Defensive Steps, 20:00

This is a nod to Gobert’s shoe size. The Jazz center wears size 20 sneakers.

6. My One and Only Love (Defense), 27:27

The one is simple enough: Gobert loves defense and his No. is 27.

7. Pursuance, 10:10

Gobert broke the Jazz points/rebounds double-double record by getting his 63rd on Wednesday in Utah’s win over the Suns. This track represents Gobert’s knack for getting those double-doubles.

8. Double Time, 20:19

Just like the album name, this track reflects the Jazz’s hope that Gobert will once again be named the league’s best defender this season.

The Jazz had the record sleeve and insert printed at Dorado Music Packaging in Los Angeles with the record itself was produced by United Record Pressing in Nashville.

Everything was authentically done. And it’s not just Gobert that has noticed the extra attention to detail.

“That was dope,” Donovan Mitchell said about the album. “I like that. It just shows the support that the organization has for our players. Rudy definitely deserves it.”

Gobert said that he plans on putting a copy of the album in his trophy room. And he has a feeling his mother will find a special place for it, too.

“I never thought I would be on the cover of a jazz album in my life,” Gobert said. “I really like it. I think it’s cool — it’s kind of vintage. I think my mom will really like it. … She is probably going to hang it up.”