This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After living in the United States for most of the past four years, Rudy Gobert knows the rules of American football well enough to sit down and enjoy a little Thanksgiving pigskin. But perhaps if he had played the game as a child, it might have benefited him on the basketball court when it comes time to catch a pass in traffic.
"It came naturally for me from playing other sports, catching the ball, football, baseball, stuff like that," said Jazz forward Trey Lyles, who at 6-foot-10 is just a few inches shorter than Gobert, but undoubtedly more comfortable catching passes. "Growing up in France, I don't know if he ever played that stuff."
So to the extent the Jazz's success is in Gobert's hands, his teammates want to make those hands better.
At practice one day this week, point guard George Hill cocked his arm back like a quarterback and rifled a pass to the big man in the paint. Then he did it again, and again, and again.
"I told him every day we've got to work on at least 100 catches where we're just throwing bullet passes and things in traffic to get his hands better," Hill said. "Because I tell him that's 6-8 points a game where maybe we bobble it … and we miss an opportunity to get an easy basket."
Later in the practice, Jazz coach Quin Snyder lined up with four other coaches and players and peppered Gobert with passes from all directions.
"Rudy's trying to get better. Sometimes something new can inject some new challenges and competitiveness," the coach said of the drill. "Anything we can do like that that's both fun and useful is good."
Gobert is averaging a career best 9.9 points per game this season, but could be putting up bigger numbers still. Even so, his teammates say they're seeing progress from the young center. Gobert, who just signed a four-year extension worth up to $102 million, is working to add strength and improve his balance to better handle contact in the paint.
First, however, he has to catch the ball.
"He's getting better," forward Gordon Hayward said. "With him it's more anticipation and being ready for the ball. He's got big hands so he should be able to catch those. I think he will. It's just something where he has to be mentally focused and mentally ready thinking that the ball is going to come to him every time."
"He's getting a lot better," Lyles agreed. "Last year was kind of bad, but this year he's catching a lot more balls. We're giving him confidence and staying on him about it."
Gobert appreciates the help, but the big 7-footer had some advice of his own for his teammates.
"I told them to learn to throw lobs, too," he said.
Twitter: @aaronfalk —
Jazz vs. Hawks
At Vivint SmartHome Arena
Tipoff • Friday, 7 p.m.
TV • ROOT
Radio • 1280 AM, 97.5 FM
Records • Jazz 7-8; Hawks 9-5
Season series • First meeting.
About the Jazz • The return of George Hill after an eight-game absence due to a thumb injury, should give Utah a huge lift. … Shooting guard Rodney Hood averaged 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists against the Hawks last season. … Nine of Utah's next 11 games are at home.
About the Hawks • Have the fifth-best net rating of any team in the league so far this season, outscoring opponents by 6.3 points per 100 possessions. … Former Jazzman Paul Millsap is averaging 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds a game for Atlanta. … Forward Taurean Prince, whom the Jazz traded to Atlanta as part of the deal that brought George Hill to Utah, is playing about 10 minutes a game.