Gobert Finds Mitchell On Beautiful No-Look Pass
Aug 3, 2020, 7:41 PM | Updated: 8:43 pm
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Much has been made of the relationship between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell over the last four months. The All-Star teammates were the first to NBA players to publicly test positive for COVID-19, leading to a reported fallout in the Jazz locker room. However, since returning to floor in Orlando, the par has looked more in sync than at any point before in their career. The two made it apparent once again when Gobert found Mitch on a no-look pass for an assist against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Early in the first quarter with the Jazz leading 9-6, Gobert made the sweet dish to connect with Mitchell on the backdoor cut.
Look at this pass from Rudy Gobert. We know he can roll and finish, if he can add the playmaking/passing piece that will be key for him long term. Stays in the pocket on his roll. KCP steps up early but good job by Mitchell of seeing the chance to cut and finishing. pic.twitter.com/el72LfPN0h
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 4, 2020
“I’m happy now,” Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN color analyst, and former NBA head coach said. “I am watching Rudy Gobert develop as a passer.”
Gobert and Mitchell’s Orlando Connection
Mitchel and Gobert connect for easy baskets has been commonplace inside the Orlando bubble. In the team’s second scrimmage game, the pair connected on multiple alley-oop passes against the Miami Heat.
Mitchell’s first assist to Gobert came during the opening minutes of the contest. He lobbed the ball over a Miami defender and into Gobert’s hands high above the rim. Gobert’s dunk resulted in his second basket of the game and tied the Jazz and Heat at 4-4 with 9:38 left in the first quarter.
The @utahjazz guards are finding Rudy early!#WholeNewGame on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/0pwqb9iug7
— NBA (@NBA) July 25, 2020
Over the Jazz final two scrimmages, Mitchell found Gobert for seven total assists. The connected marked a career-high for the pair through any two-game stretch.
Donovan Mitchell has seven assists to Rudy Gobert over the last two games and neither has played in the fourth quarter.
I'd be inclined to bet that's a season high for the duo over any two game stretch this season.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 28, 2020
