Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?

Moderators: FJS, Inigo Montoya

Gobert or Eaton?

Gobert
29
85%
Eaton
5
15%
 
Total votes: 34

User avatar
Wolverine
Rookie
Posts: 1,246
And1: 109
Joined: Jul 27, 2002

Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#1 » by Wolverine » Wed Aug 21, 2019 1:00 am

A little offseason discussion, which player would you rather have?
sip
Rookie
Posts: 1,195
And1: 1,297
Joined: Apr 14, 2009

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#2 » by sip » Wed Aug 21, 2019 4:10 am

This is Gobert and it is not particularly close.

Sent from my SM-G960U using RealGM mobile app
User avatar
Wolverine
Rookie
Posts: 1,246
And1: 109
Joined: Jul 27, 2002

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#3 » by Wolverine » Wed Aug 21, 2019 6:48 am

1983–84 Mark Eaton C Utah Jazz 82 351 4.28
1984–85 Mark Eaton (2) C Utah Jazz 82 456 5.56
1986–87 Mark Eaton (3) C Utah Jazz 79 321 4.06
1987–88 Mark Eaton (4) C Utah Jazz 82 304 3.71
TNJazz
Rookie
Posts: 1,033
And1: 419
Joined: Jan 07, 2017
     

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#4 » by TNJazz » Wed Aug 21, 2019 1:17 pm

Eaton was one of the most dominant defensive centers the league has ever had, but he didn't have the offensive skills required to be considered an elite player. He struggled with catching passes primarily due to his "small" hands, and he had zero lift. He was a mountain and had he remained healthy, the Jazz would be sporting 1 maybe 2 championship trophies. That being said, I would pick Gobert as he is the most intimidating center in the league currently and he has more athletic skills than Eaton had. His offensive development is continuing to improve and this year will take another leap forward with the addition of the outside threats the Jazz have acquired. While I think it is close, I give the nod to Gobert.
total1096
Freshman
Posts: 95
And1: 75
Joined: Apr 21, 2018
 

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#5 » by total1096 » Wed Aug 21, 2019 3:46 pm

One thing that doesn't get mentioned much is Eaton was an exceptional outlet passer.
sip
Rookie
Posts: 1,195
And1: 1,297
Joined: Apr 14, 2009

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#6 » by sip » Wed Aug 21, 2019 4:52 pm

Wolverine wrote:1983–84 Mark Eaton C Utah Jazz 82 351 4.28
1984–85 Mark Eaton (2) C Utah Jazz 82 456 5.56
1986–87 Mark Eaton (3) C Utah Jazz 79 321 4.06
1987–88 Mark Eaton (4) C Utah Jazz 82 304 3.71
Comparing block numbers for different eras doesn't work in this case. Put Eaton in this era and he likely somewhere in 2.5 to 3 block range and put Gobert in that era where the game was played more in the paint and he is probably in the 4 to 5 block a game range. Gobert is more diverse defensively though and a much better rebounder. Offensively Gobert is on another level with his ability to run the floor and finish at the rim. It would have been amazing to see a Stockton to Gobert combo.

Sent from my SM-G960U using RealGM mobile app
Rauxcee
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,591
And1: 3,054
Joined: Jan 07, 2006
 

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#7 » by Rauxcee » Thu Aug 22, 2019 12:02 am

I never watched Eaton play, and I've been wanting to inquire about this same topic.

I assume Eaton is considered the best center to wear a Jazz jersey. How close is Gobert to taking that title, or has he already?
User avatar
goober
GOTB's Cancun
Posts: 13,907
And1: 5,957
Joined: Jun 09, 2014
     

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#8 » by goober » Thu Aug 22, 2019 12:04 am

Gobert just offers a lot more than rim protection.

Screens assists, mobile defender, great put back finisher. Eaton was very very very one dimensional
User avatar
BarneyGumble
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,053
And1: 2,210
Joined: Sep 06, 2008

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#9 » by BarneyGumble » Thu Aug 22, 2019 5:18 pm

Gobert is an underrated offensive player and his offense is the reason he's better than Eaton.
pickIBL
Head Coach
Posts: 6,496
And1: 951
Joined: Aug 12, 2008

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#10 » by pickIBL » Mon Aug 26, 2019 1:55 am

It's gobert. I will say Gobert is why im not super depressed and missing the guys i watched as a kid. Im doing just fine without mt. Mutombo thanks to rudy.
I like my prospects the same way I like my women... foreign- pickIBL
User avatar
Cappy_Smurf
Head Coach
Posts: 6,171
And1: 9,623
Joined: Apr 26, 2015
     

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#11 » by Cappy_Smurf » Mon Aug 26, 2019 10:46 pm

Rauxcee wrote:I never watched Eaton play, and I've been wanting to inquire about this same topic.

I assume Eaton is considered the best center to wear a Jazz jersey. How close is Gobert to taking that title, or has he already?


I will be 49 in a month and watched Eaton quite a bit. I'd take Rudy 100% over Mark. Eaton was very good but doesn't come anywhere close to Gobert's athletic ability. Comparing stats really doesn't tell much in this situation IMO. Back then, players just couldn't/didn't bomb away from 3 when they couldn't score in the paint. The way the game was played, they just continued to attack the paint throughout the game. Getting blocks for Eaton was really like shooting fish in a barrel, and I believe Gobert would have dominated even more in that situation.

I'd already rank Gobert as the best center Utah has ever had, and it wouldn't be a difficult decision.
Dwayne "smells like" Bacon, A.K.A. The Policeman.

Dude needs to wear #50, that way when he's on the fast break, everybody can yell "Here comes five-oh!"
erudite23
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,857
And1: 659
Joined: Jun 14, 2004

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#12 » by erudite23 » Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:10 am

If this were just on the defensive side of the ball it would be much more interesting. This is Rudy by a pretty massive margin.
User avatar
FJS
Senior Mod - Jazz
Senior Mod - Jazz
Posts: 18,616
And1: 2,060
Joined: Sep 19, 2002
Location: Barcelona, Spain
   

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#13 » by FJS » Tue Aug 27, 2019 9:22 pm

In that era Gobert hands down. Eaton was a presence, but he played a few years with John Stockton for 9 years and still was pretty weak in the offensive end. Gobert is a great rebounder and being thinner than Mark he doesnt need this kind of body to play and be effective

Sent from my SM-J710F using RealGM mobile app
Image
User avatar
stitches
RealGM
Posts: 14,412
And1: 6,811
Joined: Jul 14, 2014
 

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#14 » by stitches » Wed Aug 28, 2019 7:12 am

This is Gobert and yes... It's one of the few cases when it's actually not close... That Jazz team probably wins multiple titles with today's version of Gobert...
Rauxcee
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,591
And1: 3,054
Joined: Jan 07, 2006
 

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#15 » by Rauxcee » Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:48 pm

So Eaton has his number retired. I suppose at this point Gobert should too?

I know the Jazz retire numbers pretty easily, but if Gobert is the best center we've ever had, he should have his number retired, right?

I'm not questioning either. Its summer and I suppose thinking about Gobert getting his number retired and if he should or what criteria he should meet to do so is something for me to think about.
User avatar
stitches
RealGM
Posts: 14,412
And1: 6,811
Joined: Jul 14, 2014
 

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#16 » by stitches » Wed Aug 28, 2019 7:52 pm

Rauxcee wrote:So Eaton has his number retired. I suppose at this point Gobert should too?

I know the Jazz retire numbers pretty easily, but if Gobert is the best center we've ever had, he should have his number retired, right?

I'm not questioning either. Its summer and I suppose thinking about Gobert getting his number retired and if he should or what criteria he should meet to do so is something for me to think about.

IMO he will when the time comes. As long as he doesn't ask for a trade like... mid-season this year or something... There is a certain level of longevity that's needed for retiring the number but at peak-levels IMO Gobert is clearly our best center ever. If he extends his career with the Jazz at reasonable levels for another 4-5 years IMO it's almost guaranteed 27 will be hanging from the rafters.
Rauxcee
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,591
And1: 3,054
Joined: Jan 07, 2006
 

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#17 » by Rauxcee » Thu Aug 29, 2019 12:17 am

What if he plays out his contract the next 2 years and leaves in FA? Should it be retired then?
User avatar
stitches
RealGM
Posts: 14,412
And1: 6,811
Joined: Jul 14, 2014
 

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#18 » by stitches » Thu Aug 29, 2019 4:20 am

Rauxcee wrote:What if he plays out his contract the next 2 years and leaves in FA? Should it be retired then?

I don't know. it gets a bit tricky then IMO...
MeestR
Analyst
Posts: 3,623
And1: 429
Joined: Jan 30, 2006
Location: Sa'Lake Central!
   

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#19 » by MeestR » Thu Aug 29, 2019 7:28 pm

Gobert is definitely more athletic, and has more handles and offensive ability. Eaton had a decent hook shot. Gobert has more flexible zone defense rules. Eaton had a luxury of guarding guys who didn't have an offensive game outside the paint. Eaton has a couple more inches on Gobert, but only a couple. The game in the 80's was fun to watch, but it was also more static than today's game - there is more outside shooting, and more ball and player movement and more players are directly involved in every possession.

Basically, Gobert has a higher hill to climb and has demonstrated increased ability, but lacks some individual accomplishments Eaton achieved, specifically blocks per game averages.

It is still Eaton for me, but in 3 to 4 years, Gobert should be Jazz's All-Time Greatest Center. He is on the right path.
trex_8063
Forum Mod
Forum Mod
Posts: 11,806
And1: 7,239
Joined: Feb 24, 2013
     

Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton? 

Post#20 » by trex_8063 » Wed Sep 4, 2019 9:44 pm

sip wrote:
Wolverine wrote:1983–84 Mark Eaton C Utah Jazz 82 351 4.28
1984–85 Mark Eaton (2) C Utah Jazz 82 456 5.56
1986–87 Mark Eaton (3) C Utah Jazz 79 321 4.06
1987–88 Mark Eaton (4) C Utah Jazz 82 304 3.71
Comparing block numbers for different eras doesn't work in this case. Put Eaton in this era and he likely somewhere in 2.5 to 3 block range and put Gobert in that era where the game was played more in the paint and he is probably in the 4 to 5 block a game range.



I disagree wrt to Eaton. In this era, I suspect [at least in his later years when he was very slow/plodding] Eaton becomes nearly unplayable due to lack of mobility or ability to guard in space (in combination to his utter lack of offensive utility).

Earlier career Eaton is playable, though not as much as he was played in his own time. Honestly, I'd see him peaking out around 24 mpg in his best years [EDIT: unless, by some miracle, he were to develop a reliable 3pt shot; but I honestly don't see Eaton as capable]. Today's game simply has less application for a slow big with no offensive game.
"Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." -George Carlin

"The fact that a proposition is absurd has never hindered those who wish to believe it." -Edward Rutherfurd

Return to Utah Jazz