The Utah Jazz have been one of the NBA’s best teams for a number of seasons. But they are yet to take that next step forward and join the league’s elite teams when it matters, in the postseason. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert sounded off on what he believes separates the Jazz from the league’s elite, like the Warriors and Suns. “When I watch some of these other teams like the Suns or the Warriors, those guys are a step ahead in terms of winning habits. They take every game personally. Devin Booker is playing his ass off defensively… Guys like that, they buy in, and you can tell they take pride in playing defense and stopping their man, doing whatever they can defensively to stop the other team and be part of a winning culture. I think we’re not there yet, but I think we’re gonna get there.”
Source: Kendall Capps @ Clutch Points
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Rudy Gobert @rudygobert27
Thank you @garyvee the Goat for putting me on a few days ago 🤙🏽, love this historic OG project @Crypto_Skulls 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/VZjDyk3dR1 – 7:55 PM
Thank you @garyvee the Goat for putting me on a few days ago 🤙🏽, love this historic OG project @Crypto_Skulls 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/VZjDyk3dR1 – 7:55 PM
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![Eric Walden](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1451226933514043393/v4MYQXIA_normal.jpg)
Eric Walden @tribjazz
The slumping and COVID-depleted Utah Jazz got Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay back on Friday. However, the three-time DPOY said the team is not presently at a championship level, and lags behind some Western Conference contenders in terms of “winning habits.” sltrib.com/sports/jazz/20… – 6:09 PM
The slumping and COVID-depleted Utah Jazz got Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay back on Friday. However, the three-time DPOY said the team is not presently at a championship level, and lags behind some Western Conference contenders in terms of “winning habits.” sltrib.com/sports/jazz/20… – 6:09 PM
![The Vertical](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1334549703325851649/KfLlv940_normal.png)
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
The Utah Jazz lost their last 4 games and even Rudy Gobert admits they don’t look like contenders. pic.twitter.com/b0RZjkhsFC – 5:41 PM
The Utah Jazz lost their last 4 games and even Rudy Gobert admits they don’t look like contenders. pic.twitter.com/b0RZjkhsFC – 5:41 PM
![https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FJGLX0eVkAEgq8M.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FJGLX0eVkAEgq8M.jpg)
![Eric Walden](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1451226933514043393/v4MYQXIA_normal.jpg)
![Ryan Miller](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/837135343891656704/FD5tRfV3_normal.jpg)
Ryan Miller @millerjryan
Rudy Gobert said it was clear that Suns and Warriors are a “step ahead” of the Jazz when it comes to “winning habits.” – 2:41 PM
Rudy Gobert said it was clear that Suns and Warriors are a “step ahead” of the Jazz when it comes to “winning habits.” – 2:41 PM
![Eric Walden](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1451226933514043393/v4MYQXIA_normal.jpg)
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Rudy Gobert said his symptoms were “like a little cold” for one day, and he had a fever, but by the next day he felt fine. – 2:36 PM
Rudy Gobert said his symptoms were “like a little cold” for one day, and he had a fever, but by the next day he felt fine. – 2:36 PM
![Ryan Miller](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/837135343891656704/FD5tRfV3_normal.jpg)
Ryan Miller @millerjryan
Rudy Gobert said he expects to play on Sunday. He said he had a fever the first day, and that it felt like a cold — like “something I have had 1,000 times in my life.” – 2:35 PM
Rudy Gobert said he expects to play on Sunday. He said he had a fever the first day, and that it felt like a cold — like “something I have had 1,000 times in my life.” – 2:35 PM
![Ben Anderson](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1391442337243435012/nbaQhIFI_normal.jpg)
Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Rudy Gobert said he was relatively asymptomatic.
Mostly cold symptoms, no cough, just wanted to stay in bed and said he was feeling good when he got his positive PCR test. – 2:35 PM
Rudy Gobert said he was relatively asymptomatic.
Mostly cold symptoms, no cough, just wanted to stay in bed and said he was feeling good when he got his positive PCR test. – 2:35 PM
![Eric Walden](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1451226933514043393/v4MYQXIA_normal.jpg)
![Ben Anderson](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1391442337243435012/nbaQhIFI_normal.jpg)
Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Rudy Gobert said he expects to play on Sunday for the @Utah Jazz against the @Denver Nuggets.
#takenote | @kslsports – 2:34 PM
Rudy Gobert said he expects to play on Sunday for the @Utah Jazz against the @Denver Nuggets.
#takenote | @kslsports – 2:34 PM
![Eric Walden](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1451226933514043393/v4MYQXIA_normal.jpg)
![Eric Walden](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1451226933514043393/v4MYQXIA_normal.jpg)
Eric Walden @tribjazz
The slumping and COVID-depleted Utah Jazz got some good news on Friday morning — Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay are out of the NBA’s health and safety protocol. sltrib.com/sports/jazz/20… – 1:32 PM
The slumping and COVID-depleted Utah Jazz got some good news on Friday morning — Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay are out of the NBA’s health and safety protocol. sltrib.com/sports/jazz/20… – 1:32 PM
![Tony Jones](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1122033235838455808/Ejf0gs45_normal.jpg)
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay have both cleared health and safety protocols – 12:08 PM
Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay have both cleared health and safety protocols – 12:08 PM
![Ben Anderson](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1391442337243435012/nbaQhIFI_normal.jpg)
Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay have cleared health and safety protocols for the @Utah Jazz.
Some players still miss games as they return to conditioning so that will be worth watching for Sunday against the Nuggets. – 11:48 AM
Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay have cleared health and safety protocols for the @Utah Jazz.
Some players still miss games as they return to conditioning so that will be worth watching for Sunday against the Nuggets. – 11:48 AM
![Tim Reynolds](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1137061692704092166/hoM__EMk_normal.jpg)
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Rudy Gay and Rudy Gobert have cleared protocols, the Jazz announce. – 11:48 AM
Rudy Gay and Rudy Gobert have cleared protocols, the Jazz announce. – 11:48 AM
![Ryan Miller](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/837135343891656704/FD5tRfV3_normal.jpg)
![Eric Walden](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1451226933514043393/v4MYQXIA_normal.jpg)
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay have cleared the health and safety protocol. – 11:47 AM
Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay have cleared the health and safety protocol. – 11:47 AM
![Sarah Todd](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1465577447991037954/CZSkYGuu_normal.jpg)
Sarah Todd @NBASarah
Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay have cleared the health and safety protocols – 11:47 AM
Rudy Gobert and Rudy Gay have cleared the health and safety protocols – 11:47 AM
![Tim MacMahon](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1044985229797203968/smJZMMQn_normal.jpg)
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Sources: Rudy Gobert has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols. The Jazz went 1-4 with a 120.8 defensive rating without their All-NBA big man. – 11:28 AM
Sources: Rudy Gobert has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols. The Jazz went 1-4 with a 120.8 defensive rating without their All-NBA big man. – 11:28 AM
More on this storyline
One source with knowledge of the situation maintained Mitchell had no involvement in Wade purchasing a stake in the team. In any case, it’s a move many league observers have viewed as a direct attempt by Smith to appease Mitchell, who first formed a strong connection with Wade through their representation at Creative Artists Agency. “It’s a little bit of new-owner syndrome, too,” said an assistant general manager. “You come in, and you’re immediately told, ‘The star player, you want them to like you.'” -via Bleacher Report / October 27, 2021
There does not appear to be any connection between Mitchell’s interests and the ouster of former president Dennis Lindsey. That decision stemmed largely, sources confirmed to B/R, from a rift between the executive and Snyder in which Smith sided with his head coach. Jazz staffers point specifically to Lindsey selecting Udoka Azubuike in the first round of the 2020 draft, as well as other draft additions that failed to make an NBA impact as a main stimulant in the turmoil between the president and Snyder. -via Bleacher Report / October 27, 2021