NBA: 5 players with the most to prove heading into the postseason
Rudy Gobert/Donovan Mitchell
Yeah, I cheated. Deal with it. The hate on Gobert is overblown and he deserves the DPOY this year, buzz off. Mitchell is just in his fourth season and has the expectations of much more. But the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference has always had a lot to prove. And these Jazz have faltered lately in the postseason.
Two straight first-round exits. Last year blowing a 3-1 lead. They’re the first seed, and yet I see very little championship talk about them. Mitchell’s shooting percentages have dropped considerably in the playoffs. He’s the Jazz’s most important scorer, their offensive leader.
Gobert’s averages have been fine, but has gotten played off the court when teams go small. No, it does not matter if he can guard Steph Curry one-on-one or not. But he is going to have to play some perimeter defense to stay on the court against these teams.
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks: X-factors, key matchups, and a prediction. dark. Next
They can both feel it out in the first round. The Warriors do not have many defensive answers for Mitchell, so he can build a rhythm. The Warriors go super small with Draymond Green at center for large stretches and with a guard like Curry, Gobert is going to have all the practice against that he wants. The Jazz isn’t going to lose this series, but do not bet on a sweep.