Utah Jazz: Is it possible to survive without Rudy Gobert?

2 of 5

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 2: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court during their game against the Sydney Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 2, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Offensive Issues

The Utah Jazz are ranked 25th in offensive rating this season. One big problem for this team is ball movement; Utah is 25th in assists.

It’s safe to say that the Ricky Rubio trade hasn’t worked out. He’s averaging a career low 5.5 assists per game this season. That’s been a big part of this team’s issues.

Another issues is the team’s turnovers. Utah averaging 16.6 per game, good for 5th most in the NBA. When you’re turning the ball over regularly, while not getting good looks due to ball movement, that is a dangerous combination.

Why all the turnovers and lack of assists?

The prime culprit would be a lack of spacing, but that is only part of the problem. The Jazz are a respectable 15th in 3-point percentage, 15th in makes and 13th in attempts. Not bad, not good. Average. The Gobert/Derrick Favors combination crammed the floor. Especially combined with Rubio on the floor, it put three non-shooters on the court at the same time.

This combination used to rate pretty well, but that was with Gordon Hayward. Now the Derrick Favors/Rudy Gobert Net Rating is -6.7 with a 93.5 offensive rating, both marks are among the lowest among two-man lineups for the Jazz.

The addition of Donovan Mitchell in the 2017 NBA Draft was a huge blessing. Mitchell is a player who has unreal confidence and always is playing at 1,000 miles an hour. This guy shot 21 times in a game and only made one 3. You admire the spirit, but his shot selection needs improvement. The Jazz need a guy like Mitchell, though. A true gunner. Mitchell is averaging 14.9 points per game on 14 shots per game on 38 percent shooting.

In the starting lineup, Mitchell can spot up off Rubio pick and rolls. Even though Mitchell is only shooting 32 percent from deep, he is thriving as a spot-up player. Mitchell ranks in the 83rd percentile as a spot up player, with an incredible 65% adjusted field goal percentage and a 48 percent score frequency.

These are incredible numbers for a rookie. So how is he doing it? Well, when he spots up it opens up driving lanes where he can unleash his immense athleticism.

Joe Ingles start the play driving, and he kicks it out to Mitchell, who is behind the 3-point line. Mitchell gets it and gives Jarett Jack a pump fake, takes three dribbles into the paint with his left, and then switches to his right and finishes with a nifty layup in traffic.

Mitchell will be getting buckets in this league for a long time.

Home/Utah Jazz