Credit: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images The Utah Jazz could shake things up this offseason by trading one of their stars, and here are five teams who could make an intriguing offer for Rudy Gobert. The Utah Jazz won the Northwest Division for the second straight year this year. They also made a first-round playoff exit for
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz look to hold serve when they host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night. All tied up at a game apiece, the Utah Jazz are hoping to win their first one at home in their first-round playoff series vs. the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The Utah Jazz are in trouble. They’ve split the first two games of their series with the Dallas Mavericks but Luka Doncic didn’t play for the Mavs in either
The Utah Jazz have an opportunity to prove they belong and get ahead of the Dallas Mavericks. How will Game 5 play out? After an exciting win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4, the Utah Jazz are seeking an opportunity to get a lead in this NBA Playoffs series. That’ll be easier said than
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – APRIL 23: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a basket during the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 23, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges
After battling injuries all regular season, the Warriors are finally healthy and firing on all cylinders. Plus — a worrying trend for the Utah Jazz. Until the start of the playoffs, the promise of the Golden State Warriors was mostly theoretical. Here was a potential juggernaut kept under wraps all year by injury, unable to
The Dallas Mavericks look to extend their first-round series lead over the Utah Jazz to 3-1 with a Game 4 win on Saturday, Apr. 23. No Luka Doncic, no problem for the Dallas Mavericks. Without their star player available due to a calf injury, the initial thought as that Dallas would struggle against the Utah
DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 18: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 18, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly
This season delivered a fascinating and unique MVP race, but only one of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić can take home the most sacred of the individual NBA awards. With Rookie, Coach, Sixth Man, Most Improved, All-Defense and Defensive Player of the Year awards taken care of, it’s time to wrap up the
With the NBA season almost finished, which players distinguished themselves most this year on the defensive end? Accurately evaluating NBA defense is an almost impossible endeavor, and opinions of individual defenders depend largely on the eye of the beholder. There are so many little things that happen (or don’t) within a possession that can fly
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. As the playoffs approach, so do forks in the road and potential breaking points for several teams up and down the standings. To break down some of the biggest
The fact that Rudy Gobert got more media votes, more player votes and a higher player rank than Andrew Wiggins proves that NBA All-Star voting is broken. By all meaningful voting metrics, Rudy Gobert is universally considered to be a better player than Andrew Wiggins. During voting for the NBA All-Star roster, Gobert received more
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Over the past few seasons, as teams have adopted extreme shot selection patterns and become increasingly intentional about promoting efficiency we’ve seen several historic marks. A team’s offensive efficiency,
While the Suns and Warriors have taken the NBA by storm, the Utah Jazz have quietly improved upon last year’s dominant play with the league’s best offense. The Warriors and Suns currently sit at the center of the NBA world’s attention this week, and rightfully so. The two teams have won a combined 36 of
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers, Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz. (Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports) ONE: NEXTGEN II official live results and highlights by Amy Kaplan Tensions were high in Salt Lake City on Thursday night, as Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert got into a backcourt kerfuffle in the final minutes of
In the ultimate sports crossover, former NBA All-Star Deron Williams is set to join the Jake Paul/Tommy Fury card to fight NFL running back Frank Gore. The UFC has provided a fascinating open forum by which former and current athletes from all forms of sport can come battle it out in the ring. After all,
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. One week into the NBA season and 23 teams have already taken their first L (or three of them in the case of the Thunder and Pelicans). The best
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images A Ben Simmons trade is a foregone conclusion, but as the 76ers’ options dwindle we’re digging deep to look for other fun possibilities. The 76ers are eventually going to make a Ben Simmons trade — that much has seemed certain for weeks. But exactly what they’ll get and where he’ll
The Utah Jazz took care of their biggest offseason priority by agreeing to re-sign Mike Conley. The Utah Jazz‘s top priority in 2021 NBA free agency has already been checked off the list. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania at the onset of Monday’s free-agency mayhem, the Jazz have agreed to a three-year, $68 million
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed with the Washington Wizards to acquire Russell Westbrook in a three-player trade, sending Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the No. 22 pick in Thursday’s 2021 NBA Draft to the Wizards. According to ESPN, the Wizards are also giving up their 2024 and 2028 second-round picks as well.
From Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the reporter mentioned, “Lakers have a ton of veteran-type players ready and interested to come sign on minimum deals.” Now, this is not necessarily breaking news near the end of July, but this gives fans a reason to believe that Los Angeles is going all in this offseason to win
Per one interesting announcement from Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the Utah Jazz are open to trading forward Bojan Bogdanovic, forward-guard Joe Ingles, small forward Royce O’Neale, and the No. 30 pick of the 2021 NBA Draft. Fischer stated, “The Utah Jazz are known to be one of the few teams actually searching to move playoff-tested
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court during the first quarter of the game against the Utah Jazz at TD Garden on March 06, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User
Vernon Maxwell, Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) Tribute to the Kings: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Anderson Silva live results and highlights by Thomas Albano Mets savage the Nationals on Twitter after Francisco Lindor smashes 2 homers by John Buhler Nobody celebrates a Utah Jazz loss quite like former Houston Rockets guard Vernon Maxwell. With
PORTLAND, OREGON – JUNE 03: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after his three point basket in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on June 03, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees
The All-NBA Teams were revealed on Tuesday night, and NBA Twitter has a bone to pick with the voters. The All-NBA Teams, on the surface, are never really all that bad. Sure, a few fanbases feel turned off by the league failing to recognize their homegrown star, but is it could surely be worse. It’s
Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert‘s playoff defense was indefensible for the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz were not able to rely on Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert’s defense in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. While the top-seeded Jazz were able to get past the upstart No. 8-seeded Memphis
The Utah Jazz are hoping Mike Conley can return in their playoff series vs. the LA Clippers. Without Mike Conley, the Utah Jazz have struggled to put away the LA Clippers in the playoffs. In Conley’s second year in Salt Lake, the Jazz earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference Playoff. The long-time Memphis
Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell exited Game 3 against the LA Clippers with a noticeable limp. The Utah Jazz held an early 2-0 series lead against the LA Clippers in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs due to the stellar play of Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz benefitted from Mitchell dropping a total of
The Milwaukee Bucks are on the brink of another playoff exit, without a workable formula for how to win, searching for answers they may never find. This year was supposed to be different. This was the year the Milwaukee Bucks, having learned from their previous postseason failures and worked all season long to improve their
After torching the LA Clippers in Game 1, Donovan Mitchell had NBA Twitter buzzing with his start in Game 2. In the second half of Game 1, Donovan Mitchell absolutely lit the LA Clippers up. While his Utah Jazz trailed by 13 points at halftime, with Mitchell only scoring 13 points in the first two
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz, Marcus Morris, LA Clippers. (Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports) Pacers finally admit mistake, fire head coach Nate Bjorkgren by John Buhler Rudy Gobert‘s incredible block gives Game 1 to the Utah Jazz over the visiting LA Clippers. If not for Rudy Gobert’s late-game heroics, there is a chance the Utah Jazz
Ja Morant’s dad had heartfelt words for Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell after the Memphis Grizzlies were eliminated from the playoffs. There are no perfectly happy endings when it comes to people suffering harassment, especially when it’s racially motivated. That trauma will always remain. Still, good can always come out of bad situations. Ja Morant’s
Ja Morant’s mother won’t go to Game 5 between the Grizzlies and Jazz in Utah after facing racial harassment from fans earlier in the series. A contingent of Ja Morant’s family members will attend Wednesday night’s Game 5 in Salt Lake City. Morant’s mother won’t be one of them. Jamie Morant plans to stay home
Former Houston Rockets guard Vernon Maxwell once again went in on the Utah Jazz after three fans had to be ejected for verbally abusing Ja Morant’s family. The relationship between fans and NBA players, especially as it relates to race, has become an unfortunate topic of discussion during the playoffs. On Wednesday, three fans were
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant spoke out about the Utah Jazz fans who were harassing his family in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Ja Morant has had himself a tremendous start to the 2021 NBA Playoffs. In his very first playoff outing, the 21-year-old point guard put up 26 points in a surprising
Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports Memorial Day 2021: Is Chipotle open? by Natalie Abele Ja Morant tried to dunk over Rudy Gobert. It did not end well. Ja Morant may be on his Grizzly, but Rudy Gobert is on a collision course with his third Defensive Player of the Year award, and he wasn’t
The Utah Jazz have banned three fans indefinitely for reportedly heckling the family of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. The return of fans for the 2021 NBA Playoffs have been universally lauded, but things turned ugly all across the league on Wednesday night. From a Philadelphia 76ers fan dumping popcorn on Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook
Donovan Mitchell was less-than-thrilled about not playing for the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of their Western Conference Playoffs series vs. the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. The Utah Jazz medical staff holding out star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell in Game 1’s playoff game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies was a controversial and ill-advised decision. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The Spurs have had some incredible offensive performances under Gregg Popovich but nothing tops last night’s 146-125 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. At an offensive rating of 142.3 points
Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors. (Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports) The Whiteboard: Jazz and Warriors get bricky and the Spurs go off by Ian Levy Steph Curry continues to play out of his mind while leading the Golden State Warriors. The Utah Jazz thought they had a hard-earned road victory over the
After a disappointing and confusing start to the season, the Boston Celtics have seemingly turned things around. Boston went 11-5 in April but is still a full game out of the coveted sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The ultimate goal is to avoid the new Play-In Tournament. To do that, they will need to
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant and Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr. won an Oscar as producers of a live-action short honored at the Academy Awards. Kevin Durant was a big winner as the Nets star returned from injury with 33 points off the bench against the Suns on Sunday. He won again on Sunday
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 03: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after scoring during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center on March 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
Mike Conley is finally ending his NBA All-Star drought, replacing an injured Devin Booker. Mike Conley long held the title of “best active player to never appear in an All-Star Game.” Now he’ll finally be able to shed that title. As first reported by The Athletic’s Tony Jones, the Utah Jazz guard — pending medical
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz. (Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports) Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott’s workout video will get fans juiced (Video) by John Buhler Donovan Mitchell did not take kindly to LeBron James’ remarks during the 2021 NBA All-Star Game Draft. Donovan Mitchell’s Utah Jazz may have the best record in the
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 03: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after scoring during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center on March 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
In this week’s NBA Power Rankings, the Pistons are inexplicable, the Kings have a small ball answer and the Utah Jazz are about to run the gauntlet. Our new look NBA Power Rankings are back, a non-traditional structure for a non-traditional era of professional basketball. The world is no longer just about wins and losses
If Charles Barkley were to pick the reserve players out of the Western Conference, he would select Jordan Clarkson over Anthony Davis. On Thursday, the starters for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game were revealed. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets will serve as team captains. But on Feb.
Utah Jazz head coach Quinn Snyder played his college ball at Duke. What are the chances he ends up replacing his mentor Mike Krzyzewski as the next head coach of Duke basketball? Replacing a legend like Mike Krzyzewski will be tough sledding for even the best basketball coaches. However, he does have a proven protege doing great work in
Screen assists have become a running joke on Twitter but apparently Draymond Green loves them. The idea of a screen assist makes sense. If a big man sets a great screen, leveling a defender and clearing space for a teammate to make an open jumper, they’ve helped create a scoring opportunity, just like when a