Why the Western Conference Coaches WIll Make Gobert an All-Star

January 24th, 2019 | by John Keeffer

Why Gobert should be a slam dunk pick for the All-Star game. (Nathaniel S. Butler via utahjazz.com)

With how the All-star game is set up, it will always be extremely hard for a player wearing a Utah Jazz uniform to get into the game based on the fan vote. They would have to be a super-duper star, in the mold of franchise legends John Stockton and Karl Malone. The NBA did make changes to the voting format a few years ago, and now the fan vote accounts for only half of the starter selection, with the other 50 percent made up of voting by the players and select media members.

That helps, but it is still hard for the smaller markets to compete with the larger markets in regards to all-star voting. The caveat to that would be certain international players who have an entire nation behind them, or compelling story lines that are drawing in additional interest. For example, Jeremy Lin currently has the eighth most votes for eastern conference guards despite playing less than 20 minutes per game, and Dwyane Wade, a sentimental pick in his final year, has the second most votes for eastern conference guards.

The voting for the All-Star game starters has officially ended, we will almost certainly not be seeing Rudy Gobert’s name listed when the starters are announced on Thursday evening. Whether that is the right call or not is a debate for another day, but rest assured Jazz fans, we should absolutely be seeing the Stifle Tower playing among the brightest stars in Charlotte. The power to make that happen rest among the coaches throughout the league, and the statistical profile that he has put together this season should assure him a spot on the team.

For the casual fan, Gobert is never going to blow you away. Yes, his size and length are eye popping, but there have been plenty of giants that have come through the league. He’s not a modern day big who is going to stretch the defense with threes, while also posing the threat of putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket. He’s not even a traditional big man in the sense that he’s not really a threat to post up.

If you know what to look for though, and the coaches who can get him to the all-star game certainly do, he is a monster and a force to be reckoned with.

Gobert on defense — and offense!

On the season, Gobert is averaging 15 points (career high), 13 rebounds (career high), and two blocks per game. Certainly impressive, but it becomes even more impressive when you consider the fact that only three players in the entire NBA are posting averages at or above 15-13-2. They are Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, and Gobert.

The counting stats are certainly impressive, but it’s when you look at the advanced metrics that Gobert jumps off the page as an obvious selection. 

Team numbers and successes are always nice, but they don’t necessarily lead to all-star consideration. Gobert has the individual numbers that confirm he is an all-star. If you are ever board and exploring basketball-reference’s website late into the night (you know, like we all do from time to time), take the time to go to their “Leaders” section. There, they have the top-20 players listed for almost every stat on the year. Simply put, Gobert is one of the most reoccurring players on the page.

From Basketball-Reference.com

The chart above is also not including that he is first in screen assist per game (6.1), and points off screen assist per game (14.1). By shear statistical volume alone, Gobert should be an obvious choice to be a reserve in the all-star game. If the all-star game is supposed to feature roughly the top 24 players in the league, then Gobert deserves to be a part of that showcase.

As far as team success goes, he is the best player on a team that most still consider a top 4 team in the western conference, even if the record does not reflect that quite yet. He is anchoring the fourth best defense in the league, as the Jazz post a defensive rating of 104.5. That rating is deceiving though, because the Jazz got off to a slow defensive start to the season. If you just look from December on, the teams defensive rating is at 101.5, which is far and away the best in the league.

He makes it possible for the Jazz to play a defense that limits three point shot attempts, while also turning around opponents driving to the basket. The team wings can close out further on opposing teams shooters, knowing that if the opponent gets past them, Gobert will be there to swallow them up. This forces teams to take more shots from the less efficient mid-range.

The final seven roster spots available for the all-star team will be determined by coaches throughout the league. While the mainstream fan may underestimate the effect a non-traditional player like Gobert can have on a game, I refuse to believe that the coaches who game-plan for him are not aware. He should absolutely have an opportunity to play in Charlotte, where he can finally be recognized as being a star in this league. The reserves for the game will be announced next Thursday (January 31) and while the majority of the league is on vacation, we should be watching Gobert play on February 17.

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