Rudy Gobert -- Eaton Disciple. Downbeat #1594

Mark Eaton has offered to mentor Rudy Gobert in the art of being a defensive bad ***.  Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune has the story.

Eaton knows those "oohs" and "ahhs" well.

A blocked shot, maybe even as much as a highlight-reel dunk, can energize and demoralize, depending on your vantage point. Eaton and Gobert see eye to eye on that, and their shared interest in the matter could lead to a closer relationship down the road, after Eaton extended an offer this week to mentor the Jazz's rising star.

"I told him I want to get together some time," said Eaton, who offered to show Gobert a lost-post move or two and, of course, go over the finer points of the swat.

Few anywhere know more about that than Eaton.

Utah's big men have made it a point to make life in the paint hell for opponents this year. Gobert (176 blocks) and forward Derrick Favors (120 blocks) are the first Jazz duo to swat 100 shots apiece since Andrei Kirilenko (215) and Greg Ostertag (139) did it in the 2003-04 season. And with five games left, Gobert trails only New Orleans big man Anthony Davis (183) for the league lead.

Impressive, to be sure, but far cries from Eaton's accomplishments in the genre.

Four times as a pro Eaton led the NBA in stuffs, including 30 years ago when he swatted a record-setting 456 shots.

Rudy would do good to be mentored by Mark Eaton.  As long as Rudy gets help for the defensive side of the ball and not mentorship of his garish offensive numbers.

Mark Eaton Advanced Stats

Looks like Gordon Hayward was reliving a nightmare last night ...

Smh been there

— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) April 7, 2015

This is via Moni's blog.  I seriously cannot get enough of these gifs.  They are amazing.  I can't get over how much Quin is enjoying these guys.

MOAR QUIN SNYDER LOOKALIKES! MOAR!!!!!

For your entertainment:  Kobe wearing a cell phone clip.

CC @lakerdave75 MT @tayjoyce88: Asked @kobebryant for a picture w/2 Jazz fans & he couldn't of been nicer. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/3SdJaEfhBj

— Яyan Teeples (@SportsGuyRyan) April 6, 2015

Thank you, Kobe, for being nice to some Jazz fans.  But, man, ditch the clip.

The NBA season is starting to wind down.  The Jazz are in the middle of potential and expectation.  Enjoy this expectation free crew for the remaining games.  Because next year expectations come in.  Losses will hurt again.  Wins won't be as exhilarating.  We're getting to see this Jazz team learn to walk and run.  Next year we'll expect them to win.  This season has been fun.  Next season will be fun, but more of a chore.  Remember this season well.