The All-Star Case For Rudy Gobert

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – NBA All-Star voting is underway and the Utah Jazz have three hopefuls worthy of being named to this year’s team. This is the case for Jazz center Rudy Gobert to make his second All-Star bid.

Owning the GbNBA’s best record at 16-5, the Jazz should expect to be represented by at least one, and as many as three All-Stars at the game proposed for March 7 in Atlanta.

Even if the NBA and the Players Association can’t agree on scheduling the game, the league will still name All-Stars for both the Eastern and Western Conferences.

The @utahjazz WERE NOT represented well in the first returns for #NBAAllStar voting. #TakeNote https://t.co/vF9B9GRVwG

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 4, 2021

The All-Star Case For Rudy Gobert

Gobert is looking to make his second straight All-Star appearance in the Western Conference after earlier snubs in his career.

To aid his campaign, the Jazz center is averaging 13.3 points, 13.4 rebounds, and a career-high 2.7 blocks as the anchor of the Jazz defense.

Gobert has seen his scoring averages drop in each of the last two seasons, and his rebound had dipped one-tenth of a point, but the Jazz overall performance has improved their All-NBA center has relinquished his role as one of the team’s go-to scorers.

🗣 RUUUUUDY#NBAAllStar | @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/IUXikyz2ZB

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) January 30, 2021

Gobert often records his impressive numbers without having offensive sets run that are designed to get him scoring opportunities. The Jazz big man instead uses his elite screen setting and rim-rolling skillset to free up the teammates around him for open looks on the perimeter.

As a result, the Jazz are the league’s most prolific three-point shooting as five players on the team’s roster shoot 40 percent or better from the three-point line.

Gobert Among League Leaders In Several Stats

Though Gobert may not lead the NBA in any one category, he’s among the league leaders in several important stats.

Gobert ranks third in the NBA in rebounds per game behind Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela.

Mike Conley's NBA-best plus-minus (+259) is 60 points better than Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert and 84 points better than any other player in the league.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 30, 2021

The Jazz star is the league’s third-leading shot-blocker behind Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner and Minnesota Timberwolves starter Karl Anthony-Towns.

Gobert has the sixth most double-doubles in the NBA this season with 14 and ranks fifth overall in total plus-minus at +177. The Jazz center also ranks seventh in the NBA in Net Rating among starters at 13.4.

Will Gobert Make It?

Unlike teammates Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley, Gobert has a clearer path to the NBA All-Star game thanks to the larger number of reserve frontcourt players in addition to the two wild card selection spots.

While Mitchell and Conley will fight over two of the four reserve guard and wild card spots among a very crowded Western Conference guard pool, Gobert’s odds of making it in the West are relatively decent.

#NBAAllStar voting first returns are out. Donovan 5th in West backcourt. No Rudy or Conley.#TakeNote l @kslsports pic.twitter.com/S1hVmBAs1m

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) February 4, 2021

First returns for the All-Star game indicate Los Angeles Lakers forwards LeBron James, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard are the odds on favorites to be named started in the West.

That leaves three frontcourt spots to compete with Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Clippers forward Paul George, and Pelicans big man Zion Williamson to earn a spot outright. Davis and George should be considered locks, though Williamson’s New Orleans Pelicans team’s slow start may ding him in reserve voting.

Gobert would also be a strong candidate to earn a wild card spot even among the West’s crowded guard lineup.

As long as Gobert continues his steady double-double average while keeping the Jazz near the top of the Western Conference standings, fans should feel confident they’ll see the big man represented their team in the 2021 NBA All-Star game.