Rudy Gobert "Greatest Jazz Center of All Time" Countdown Thread
- Thread starter framer
- Start date
The Fresh Prince
Well-Known Member
Imagine Gobert in Memos spot back in 2007-2010. I think we'd of won a ship with that squad because Rudy would be there for Boozers matador defense.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
You're the best, framer! I was considering doing just a list after the thread was discontinued. Hope maintaining this doesn't cause family troubles. Wanting to watch games and post on Jazzfanz was one of the things my ex hated. Never mind she had HER hobbies. I just couldn't have any of my own!
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I think what you meant to say was imagine Gobert in Memo's spot and Memo in Boozer's spot.
framer
Well-Known Member
So here are Gobert's current Stats:
Points 1643
Rebounds 1889
Blocks 434
Steals 130
Assists 230
This ranks him at #15 ahead of:
#16 Greg Foster
Points 1113
Rebounds 721
Blocks 78
Steals 36
Assists 132
Greg Foster was the primary backup center on what was perhaps the best bench the Utah Jazz ever had. Calling themselves "The Bench Mob" with the likes of Shandon ANderson, Antoine Carr, Adam Keefe, and Howard Eisley, Utah's bench rolled to two finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. Foster is probably best known, however, for deploying the "throat slash" gesture to the Lakers in a game toward the end of the regular season in 1998, amping things up for an eventual playoff matchup between the Lakers and the Jazz. I will always love Foster for disrespecting the Lakers.
Unfortunately, Foster will also be forever known as a piece, along with Chris Morris, in the failed Ronnie Seikley trade in 1998. Ironically he won a ring with his one season the Lakers in 2001.
Foster is currently an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Here is Foster lighting up Shaq in the aforementioned 1998 Playoff series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chIr6wHWA1Y
Points 1643
Rebounds 1889
Blocks 434
Steals 130
Assists 230
This ranks him at #15 ahead of:
#16 Greg Foster
Points 1113
Rebounds 721
Blocks 78
Steals 36
Assists 132
Greg Foster was the primary backup center on what was perhaps the best bench the Utah Jazz ever had. Calling themselves "The Bench Mob" with the likes of Shandon ANderson, Antoine Carr, Adam Keefe, and Howard Eisley, Utah's bench rolled to two finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. Foster is probably best known, however, for deploying the "throat slash" gesture to the Lakers in a game toward the end of the regular season in 1998, amping things up for an eventual playoff matchup between the Lakers and the Jazz. I will always love Foster for disrespecting the Lakers.
Unfortunately, Foster will also be forever known as a piece, along with Chris Morris, in the failed Ronnie Seikley trade in 1998. Ironically he won a ring with his one season the Lakers in 2001.
Foster is currently an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Here is Foster lighting up Shaq in the aforementioned 1998 Playoff series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chIr6wHWA1Y
Coach Ellis
Well-Known Member
He was #1 the day he was drafted. Only Rudy knew it at the time, but the world will know when he's done. Rep coming to Framer for putting this together and updating it.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
And somewhere, Colton silently weeps over yet another vicious murder of the English language.
Engorged On Unborn Gore
Well-Known Member
Repped for the Greg Foster memories. Sweet as marmalade.
Coach Ellis
Well-Known Member
#1 in our hearts.
green
Well-Known Member
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe #1 in my pants, but my heart? That **** has to be earned. He ain't even top 10 yet.
Oh? Who's got him beat for that 10th spot? Felton Spencer? Olden Polynice? Pete Chilcutt?
The only people you can argue have him surpassed is Eaton and Memo. Ostertag is probably #3 on the list because of longevity and we know he's passed him.
Getting Traded
Banned
I think Rudy is already number one. Yes, Eaton was a great shot blocker but he didn't have anyway near the mobility of Rudy, and the game is faster now and more perimeter shooting so there are less opportunities for shot blocking now. Memo was more of a PF though he did play center.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Memo played almost all his minutes at the 5; he was a center. As for Eaton, yes, he did play in a different era. The game was more physical. The 3pt shot was less of a weapon when he played and more of a novelty.
I think we undervalue Eaton's impact. He changed the game as well. The Jazz' strategy was to funnel everything to the middle so Eaton could block or punish players trying to drive inside. Eaton was a better shot-blocker than Gobert.
However, in today's game, Gobert often switchers on screens. A few games ago he switched onto the PG a few times and held his own. He is light years ahead of Memo on defense, but Memo was light years ahead on offense. I'd rate him ahead of Eaton defensively, although it's close.
It's only longevity that puts him outside of those two - and any others - in terms of overall stats.
gregbroncs
Well-Known Member
I believe if you took Eaton and played him in this era he would really struggle. He was not built to guard the game the way it is played today. But if you took Gobert and put him in the era Eaton played in he would also really struggle, he's not built to defend guys like Hakeem, Ewing and the low post big bodied centers that Eaton had to go up against. Eaton had to play these guys while also closing the paint to far more aggressive players coming at him. I think Gobert is the perfect type of guy at the center position in today's NBA. Athletic, tall and fairly fast on his feet, for a guy his size.