Jazz Center Rudy Gobert Rocks Rim With Big Dunk During All-Star Game
Feb 20, 2022, 6:56 PM | Updated: 6:59 pm
Rudy Gobert #24 of Team Giannis dunks the ball in the second quarter against Team LeBron during the 69th NBA All-Star Game at the United Center on February 16, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert rocked the rim with a big slam dunk during his opening minutes of action during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
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The All-Star Game between Team Durant and Team LeBron took place at Rocket Mortage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, February 20.
Gobert was a member of Team Durant.
With 3:49 remaining in the opening quarter, Gobert checked into the game for the first time.
1:02 later, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine dished the ball off to Gobert in the post. The Jazz center rose up and threw down a big slam dunk with two hands.
Gobert’s jam cut Team LeBron’s lead to 38-36.
After one the #TeamLeBron leads Rudy Gobert and #TeamDurant 47-45.
Gobert had 2 points and 3 rebounds in the opening period. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/TayubHdUOo
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 21, 2022
At the end of the first 12 minutes of game time, Gobert and Team Durant trailed Team LeBron, 47-45.
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During the opening quarter, Gobert had two points on 1-1 field goal. He added three rebounds in four minutes on the hardwood.
Gobert Wants To Show Off His Range
Though Gobert has been one of the most productive players during his two previous All-Star appearances having averaged 15.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, there is another skillset the three-time Defensive Player of the Year wants to highlight.
His range.
“I wanted to shoot one last year, but I didn’t really have the opportunity,” Gobert said earlier in the week. “So this year, hopefully, I can shoot one or maybe two, maybe three. We’ll see how that goes.”
Gobert is 0-9 from the three-point line in his career, though his misses have come at the end of the shot or game clock.
checking in!#NBAAllStar x @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/KRaPuLCIwA
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 21, 2022
The center did hit an 80-footer earlier this season in Denver, though it came shortly after the clock expired.
While Gobert has yet to knock down a deep ball in his career, he said he has a few spots he’s comfortable shooting from.
“I like the corner,” Gobert added. “I like the corner or on top of the key, wherever. I’ve been working on my shot a lot so I’ve been getting comfortable. Hopefully, I can show this tomorrow, and if not, in the near future.”
Gobert is averaging 15.7 points per game and leads the NBA in rebounds at 14.8 per game, blocks at 2.3 per game, and field goal efficiency at 71 percent.
The NBA All-Star Game is televised on TNT and TBS.
