Rudy Gobert played just five minutes in the first half of the Utah Jazz’s Game 7 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. He spent the majority of the first two periods on the bench due to foul trouble.
A look at Rudy Gobert’s 3 fouls in 5 minutes against Clippers
Gobert found himself on the bench for fouls, some of which could have gone either way.
The reason? Gobert was whistled for three fouls early on, some more questionable than others.
The first one was obvious. Less than than two minutes into the first quarter, Gobert shoved DeAndre Jordan while attempting a layup.
But the next two can be subject to interpretation.
Referee Tony Brothers whistled the Frenchman for nudging Marreese Speights with his forearm. You can argue that’s a ticky-tack foul, one that Clippers big man Jordan gets away with regularly.
This foul call sent Gobert to the bench at the 8:57 mark in the first quarter. He didn’t see the court again until the second period, where he was whistled while trying to stop Luc Mbah a Moute from dunking.
Gobert didn’t go straight up, but the contact was minimal. Most shot blockers aren’t called for a foul like this, though the case can be made the Jazz center whacked Mbah a Moute on the wrist as he tried to stuff down the dunk.
With the exception of the first foul, these are 50-50 calls on bang-bang plays. But Jazz fans feel Gobert should get the benefit of the doubt with some calls at this point in his career.
Utah’s center is a leading candidate for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, yet you wouldn’t think so, given some of the fouls he’s been whistled for. The Jazz are up 46-39 at the half.
For basketball’s sake, let’s hope Gobert can stay on the floor in the last two quarters.
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