Eaton never had Gobert’s athleticism. …

Eaton never had Gobert’s athleticism. Gobert doesn’t have the girth and raw strength Eaton possessed. Eaton couldn’t move like Gobert and was more limited offensively. But the two shared characteristics. They are intensely competitive men. They took pride in their defense and their ability to pack the paint. In Gobert, Eaton saw a little brother and, finally, a guy to carry his torch. He was as proud as anyone when Gobert received his call to the All-Star Game. “He texts me a lot, and we talk often,” Gobert told The Athletic in an extensive interview. “It’s great to have someone like him look after me and to have someone to talk to. He’s been to the places that I want to get to, and I appreciate a lot of the advice that he has to offer.”