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NBA Utah Jazz

Despite Loss to Warriors, There Are Positives to Be Found for Utah Jazz

By @mrmarykateolsen

Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz G-State Warriors

NBAE/Getty Images

Let’s face it—there was no way the Utah Jazz were going into Oracle Arena on Friday and taking a win from the Golden State Warriors. With all due respect to the Memphis Grizzlies, Steve Kerr‘s club is probably the best team in the Western Conference and Utah was over-matched in nearly every way in the difficult road loss. Still, lopsided result aside, there were bright spots to be found for the Jazz.

Most notably, the play of Rudy Gobert was highly encouraging. Even as most of his teammates struggled around him, the young Frenchman had what was probably the best game of his young career. He finished with 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting, five rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. It was an effort reminiscent of his play during summer league and the FIBA World Cup and the kind of performance that can do wonders for a young player’s confidence.

Another of Utah’s young frontcourt players, starting PF Enes Kanter, ended the night with a similarly impressive line. Some of his success came in garbage time against lesser players (Kanter saw very little action against the Warriors’ front line due to matchup problems), but it’s still worth noting that his jump shot is continuing to fall. In less than 20 minutes of play, Kanter had 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor. After struggling to begin the 2014-15 campaign, Kanter is cementing himself as an offensive force to be reckoned with.

Lastly, the large deficit afforded the team a chance to give minutes to players like Jeremy Evans, Ian Clark and Steve Novak. All three responded well to the time, bringing the team to within 13 points of Golden State after having trailed by 25+ for much of the contest. Dante Exum was also given extra time with that group and continues to display the court vision that has Jazz fans excited for his future.

Silver linings aside, it’s never fun to slog through a blowout loss. The road doesn’t get any easier as the Jazz get right back on the horse with a game tomorrow night. Hopefully the extra rest given to the starters tonight leaves them with an extra spring in their step for tomorrow’s game. Either way, the game with the Warriors was a fine example of the fact that, even in the worst of times, there are positives to be found for the young, developing team.

Ryan Aston covers the Utah Jazz for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @MrMaryKateOlsen or add him to your network on Google.

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