Rudy Gobert ready to experience “a lot of emotions” for his return to Utah

For the first time in his career, Rudy Gobert will enter the Vivint Arena and head for the visitors’ locker room. After nine seasons in Salt Lake City, the French pivot returns this time in the shoes of “the enemy”, a situation he mentioned before the reunion tonight.

“There’s probably going to be a lot of emotion, but I just want to enjoy the moment and bring home a win”, did he declare. “I spent nine years of my life there and I have a lot of memories there, a lot of very strong relationships with people that I love and who have given me a lot of love over the years. It’s going to be weird walking into the venue and going into the visitors’ locker room, but it’s probably going to be a lot of love and a lot of joy to come back.”

A brutal but inevitable end

The adventure did not end very well, the Jazz not having achieved its objective after having benefited from a “window” to win the NBA title. It was finally after repeated suspicions of disagreement with Donovan Mitchell, who is a hit today in Cleveland, that Utah chose to turn the page this summer.

However, Rudy Gobert feels no resentment over the end of his story in Salt Lake City.

“Spending nine years there is obviously something I’ll never forget, but at the same time you always have to be aware that it’s a business. That’s how I see things. My dream has always been to bring a title to Utah. Some people didn’t believe it could happen, and that’s fine with me. It’s part of their job to do what they think is best for the team.” he estimated. “Now I’m in another place, but that doesn’t change the human side of it. When I say that, I think it’s bigger than basketball. I gave my soul to this team, to this city, to this organization, my blood, my sweat and my tears, and there are things that go beyond the basketball business. That’s why I thought we’d be here forever. Now I’m in a new place with the opportunity to do great things, and I’ll always be grateful for those nine years in Utah.”

Unexpected trajectories

While the Wolves are still looking for the right fuel, Utah has surprised everyone in the West by starting the season with a cannonball, including 12 wins in their first 18 games. In a completely new configuration, with Lauri Markkanen as the spearhead, the Jazz has succeeded in its transformation.

“I was very happy to see them have success”continued Rudy Gobert. “Most people put them aside after the Donovan trades, me and Bojan too, but there is still a lot of talent in this team. You can see that they are having a lot of fun, and then when you don’t have a lot of expectations, you play freely. I think that’s what happened to them. They play together, they play free, they play really hard. When you play that way with the level of talent they have, good things happen.”

It’s up to Minnesota to take inspiration from it, the new team of the French pivot having difficulty finding themselves despite the presence of talented elements like D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards or Karl-Anthony Towns, currently injured.

“Obviously there is adversity, but not more than I expected coming into a new situation with a younger team. You have to go through these things when there is change, and you are in a new place after nine years elsewhere. I’ve come to terms with it and I’m very enthusiastic about our team. I am very happy with our growth. I know that growth will translate into many wins this season.”he concluded.

A success tonight on hostile ground would be a good start.