2020-2021 AROUND the NBA: Archived

[Kammrath]

With Gobert, it felt much more like a smaller lineup exposed him because he isn't the type of player to be able to close out on anything on the perimeter.

So I think the reason Gobert doesn't go out to the perimeter is not because he is incapable (I think he can be pretty decent out there when needed), but because the coaches tell him NOT to because they know that if Gobert goes to the perimeter its a layup line for the other team. It is a layup line not because Gobert is the problem, but because his teammates actually can't keep anyone in front of them without Gobert looming in the paint. So the team picks its poison and has Gobert lay back and dare someone to shoot (hoping he misses).