Consider that opponents make 17 percent less of their shots (compared to the league average) within 6 feet of the rim when Gobert is there, and 13.5 percent less from inside 10 feet. Timofey Mozgov, whom the Cavs acquired to help seal off the paint, forces opponents to make 3.8 percent less within 6 feet and 3.1 percent less from inside 10 feet. Meanwhile, the league's leading shot-blocking center, DeAndre Jordan, causes opponents to make 2 percent less from inside 6 feet and 3.5 percent less from inside 10 feet. What Gobert is doing is impressive, and it should go without saying that his impact also leads to opponents taking fewer paint shots to begin with.
In addition, Gobert is scoring more, passing better, being stronger and smarter with the ball and rebounding just a shade below where he was as a rookie. In other words, his improvement is not a fluke. He looked the part in the Vegas summer league and on France's national team, and he has been even more sensational in the NBA this season. At just 22 (and with a body that is still developing) he has even more room to grow as a player -- a fact that should greatly excite the Jazz.
