Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
- Wolverine
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Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
A little offseason discussion, which player would you rather have?
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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
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
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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.
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
One thing that doesn't get mentioned much is Eaton was an exceptional outlet passer.
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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.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
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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 assume Eaton is considered the best center to wear a Jazz jersey. How close is Gobert to taking that title, or has he already?
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
Gobert just offers a lot more than rim protection.
Screens assists, mobile defender, great put back finisher. Eaton was very very very one dimensional
Screens assists, mobile defender, great put back finisher. Eaton was very very very one dimensional
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
- BarneyGumble
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
Gobert is an underrated offensive player and his offense is the reason he's better than Eaton.
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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.
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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.
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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.
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
- FJS
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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...
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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.
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.
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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.
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
What if he plays out his contract the next 2 years and leaves in FA? Should it be retired then?
Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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...
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
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.
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.
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Re: Pick one: Gobert or Eaton?
sip wrote: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.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
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.
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