We finally got what we wanted. Some Jazz man on Jazz man action in the FIBA World Cup. For the first time so far in this tournament, members from the Utah Jazz will face off against each other. Good news, both Australia and France have already clinched their spot in the knockout round, so niether of our guys will be going home after the game tomorrow morning. This game will however decide seeding in the knockout round AND it will determine which of these teams will play Team USA in an elimination game on Wednesday. If Team USA beats Brazil tomorrow morning, they will face the loser of Australia and France. So, in other words, we’re getting back-to-back Jazz man friendly fire in the FIBA World Cup. Enough about the next round, let’s get into this juicy matchup of Australia and France in what should be a great game.

Game Info

When: Monday, September 9th , 2019. 6:00 AM MDT

Where: Nanjing, China

TV: Livestream on ESPN+

What to watch for

As if watching Joe Ingles and Rudy Gobert go at it for 40 minutes isn’t enough, Australia and France as an overall game is going to be an absolute dogfight. Both France and Australia are undefeated 4-0 in FIBA play so far, and both teams have looked very impressive throughout the entire tournament. If you’ve been focused on Team USA so far in the FIBA World Cup, and haven’t yet had a chance to watch Joe or Rudy play, now’s your chance. Both of them in the same game at the same time, and it’s going to be epic. This game is going to break the undefeated 12-0 record of Utah Jazz players in the FIBA World Cup. Both Joe Ingles and Rudy Gobert have been key pieces on their respective squads, if not the most important players outright on their national teams. Both are leaders and legends in their home countries, and they will go to battle against each other tomorrow morning. It’s going to be fun to see how they interact on the court together. Watch for their first interaction of the morning, maybe pregame or just before tipoff. It’s going to be a classic. What will happen if Rudy swats Joe? What will happen if Joe gets Rudy on his signature pass ball-fake layup move? Will the world survive? I don’t know.

Mandatory Highlight

Joe and Rudy have a pretty awesome relationship, at least from the outside eye. Remember this great moment between the two in a post-game presser?

Game Thread Ground Rules

Welcome to the SLC Dunk Game Thread.

Dunkers know how this thing works, but for you lurkers ready to make the jump to Dunker, we have a few guidelines. Remember to follow our community guidelines (no swearing, trolling, excessive use of Jerry Sloan’s name in vain, no personal attacks, no debates about Utah liquor laws, etc.). Remember to have fun. Anyone who dare blasphemes that Tim Duncan was a Power Forward (this means you, Pounding the Rock), Ben Simmons can hit threes, Gordon Haywardshould not be booed, Exum Island isn’t a 5-Star resort, Donovan Mitchell is Monta Ellis 2.0, men should never cry or John Stockton is not the best point guard of all-time will receive an automatic ban. Just kidding. But seriously.