This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It wasn't just the rebounding.
It wasn't only the rim protection. Or the increased strength.
There was a certain edge that Jazz second year big Rudy Gobert played with on Thursday night. Indeed, on the interior, Gobert dominated defensively in the open practice before nearly 10,000 fans. He was omnipresent in the lane. He gobbled up seemingly every rebound. He covered for the mistakes of his guards on the defensive end. He ran the floor.
He impressed nearly everyone in attendance at EnergySolutions Arena. Especially his head coach.
"I thought Rudy ran the floor very well," Quin Snyder said. "I thought he played hard. He's a great passer, and he did what we wanted from him on defense. If he continues to play this way, he's going to have the chance to earn minutes and be successful this season."
Gobert will receive extended minutes during summer league play this coming week. He will be counted on to rebound and defend, and play with the same edge he showed on Thursday night.
Indeed, he seems to be one of the Jazz players who can potentially make a jump this coming season.
Tony Jones