We played solid defense, but when we don’t make shots we need to keep playing the same way and keep playing aggressive. Keep executing the plays. I’m pretty proud of the team, we played good defense, and the offense is going to come. – Rudy Gobert
SAN ANTONIO — In a 20-point loss that could have been much worse, the Utah Jazz had little to smile about Sunday night at the AT&T Center against the San Antonio Spurs.
But once again the bright spot was the play of center Rudy Gobert, who corralled a career-high 18 rebounds while leading the Jazz in scoring with 13 points and blocking four shots.
“Rudy did the thing he’s been doing, which is competing,’’ said Jazz coach Quin Snyder. “He’s a unique player in his ability to protect the rim and block shots. He needs to keep getting better and playing a lot.’’
Gobert said he tried to play aggressive and said when he plays more aggressive, he is more productive. He also thought his team played good defense, despite an off-night shooting.
“We played solid defense, but when we don’t make shots we need to keep playing the same way and keep playing aggressive,’’ he said. “Keep executing the plays. I’m pretty proud of the team, we played good defense, and the offense is going to come.’’
Gobert played 28 minutes, which is just under his average for the previous 10 games when he had a few starts when Enes Kanter was out with a sprained ankle. In Sunday night’s game, Gobert started the second half after getting 11 first-half rebounds, while Kanter went scoreless with no rebounds (he eventually finished with four points and two rebounds).
However, after the game, Snyder didn’t want to make any commitments about Gobert starting in place of Kanter in the future, even if Gobert has clearly played better lately.
“No decision like that has long-term implications,’’ Snyder said of starting Gobert in the second half. “Rudy was playing very well in the first half, he had 11 rebounds or something and they’re a big team. We felt like he was playing good and hopefully we could get off to a good start in the second half.’’
AUSSIES AND FRENCHMEN: Early in the third quarter when Jazzman Dante Exum and Joe Ingles were on the floor along with San Antonio's Patty Mills and Aron Baynes, it marked the first time in NBA history that four Australian players were on the court at the same time, according to the Spurs' PR staff.
Another record might have been tied for French players on the floor at the same time with the Spurs’ Tony Parker and Boris Diaw joining Gobert.
“It’s always fun to play against them and see them on the court,’’ said Gobert, who walked over to talk to Diaw after the game ended.
MR. FRIENDLY: San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was his usual non-communicative self before the game when asked by a Utah reporter to evaluate the Jazz.
Here’s how the exchange went:
Reporter: “Since you last saw the Jazz, they’ve played .500 ball. What do you think about them?”
Popovich: “Uh, I haven’t watched them.’’
Reporter: “Haven’t you scouted them or anything?”
Popovich: “I don’t do that.’’
Reporter: “Do you know anything at all (about the Jazz)?
Popovich: “I know that two sides of an isosceles triangle are equal.”
SHEEP, GOATS AND SWINE: Unlike most NBA arenas, the AT&T Center, where the Spurs play, is located on the outskirts of San Antonio, about four miles east of downtown.
The AT&T Center is made for more than just basketball and hockey. It is home to several livestock and rodeo events, including the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo multi-day event every February that forces the Spurs to go on an extended road trip.
The arena sits on a huge property that includes acres of parking lots, including several large “barns” labeled “sheep and goats” “poultry and AG mechanics” and “swine.”
The arena is built adjacent to the Freeman Coliseum, a 10,000-seat sports and concert venue that was built back in 1949.
The Spurs used to play in the Alamodome, which Utah fans remember from the 1998 Final Four, but moved in 2002 out to their current arena, originally known as the SBC Center. Before 1993, the Spurs played in the Hemisphere Arena downtown.
FIFTEENTH MAN: Popovich also gave it back to the local San Antonio media when they asked him about JaMychal Green, a 6-foot-8 forward who just joined the team from the D-League.
After a couple of questions about Green, Popovich said, “He’s the 15th guy. Don’t get too excited. We’re talking about the 15th guy on the team. I wouldn’t overanalyze it much.’’
Green was on the active list for the game and because of the lopsided score, Green got into the game with 5:47 left and the Spurs up by 26. He finished with one rebound and one turnover.