PnB Mailbag: Should Utah Jazz Go All In On Rudy Gobert? by Greg Foster

Apr 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) shoots over Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Top ten lists, opinion polls and power rankings are always subject to debate. Regardless of who is compiling them or how much care or science is applied in constructing a list, there will always be dissenters. I try to keep this in mind when reading them, but when the Utah Jazz are done dirty, it’s hard to keep a level head.

Such was the case earlier this week upon discovering Jazz forward Derrick Favors‘ placement in ESPN’s ongoing #NBARank project.

So what was the verdict on Favors’ value when weighed against other players in the league? No. 48–just behind 33-year-old Dwyane Wade (rickety knees and all) and Greg Monroe, whose team was outscored by nearly 11 points per 100 possessions last season when he was on the floor. Favors also came in one spot ahead of second-year forward Jabari Parker.

A phrase comes to mind when considering the idea that there are 47 players in the NBA better than Favors. It rhymes with “What the serious chuck?”

At only 24 years old and coming off a career-high 16 ppg, @dfavors14 is No. 48 in our #NBArank. pic.twitter.com/bDhX1gabXA — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 14, 2015

Despite the strides he has made each and every year following a tumultuous rookie campaign that saw him switch teams, it seems that a contingent of people continue to view him as that New Jersey Nets “draft bust.” While many consider him a potential All-Star (maybe as early as this season), opinions remain frustratingly mixed.

Other notable players to be ranked ahead of Favors include Khris Middleton and Derrick Rose–the beleaguered former MVP who has appeared in only 61 games during the last three seasons and shot under 40 percent from the field in the time.

Meanwhile, Favors’ frontcourt mate Rudy Gobert hit the #NBARank list at No. 42, also behind Rose and one spot ahead of Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.

Although most Jazz fans and many NBA experts would join me in agreeing that Gobert’s impact on the Jazz and on opposing offenses warrants a higher ranking, this one is easier to swallow. Gobert remains something of an unknown to some and his NBA sample size is far less developed than that of Favors.

At this time next year, after a full season of his Stifle Tower exploits, I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find many Gobert detractors.

We can only hope that the same will be said of Favors who, despite being a 16 and nine player, a defensive standout and a focal point for his team on both sides of the ball, continues to have a perception problem among the unlearned masses.

In the mean time, Jazz Nation can take solace in the fact that the team is on the fast track to an NBA Playoffs return and that Favors will undoubtedly be one of the primary reasons for that resurgence.