Even when this season has not been very sort to the Utah JazzThere was lots to love when stepping again to observe the efficiency and growth of third-year heart Walker Kessler.
After having an up-and-down sophomore season in Salt Lake Metropolis, the Jazz heart got here into the fold this season to submit a career-high common in factors, rebounds and blocks en path to turning into the anchor protection of this crew for which he was introduced. three summers in the past.
His true affect at defensive finish is very felt within the newest stat offered by the Jazz on solely time in Utah franchise historical past by Andrei Kirilenko. in the course of the 2006-07 season.
Kessler additionally has a number of blocks in eight straight video games, a streak that’s the second highest within the league this yr.
demise, taxes, the Kessler blocker who owns the portray 🎨🤝🎨#TakeNote offered by @Qualtrics pic.twitter.com/91M1vdWwSz
-Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 9, 2024
In case you had been questioning how lengthy Kirilenko’s streak was, that quantity reached 23, ending simply two days earlier than Christmas Day 2006. As for the present streak of a number of blocks, the one participant previous the middle of Jazz was. .. you guessed it, Victor Wembanyama, as he had an insane streak of 16 video games in a row with a number of blocks earlier within the season.
He does not have a lot time left earlier than catching Kirilenko, however to get to Wembanyama’s stage he must double its present variety of consecutive blocks.
Kessler averaged 10.9 factors, 11.1 rebounds and three.0 blocks per recreation in 17 appearances – now reaching all-time highs together with his begin to the season. Though the Jazz have not been very robust on the defensive finish as a unit this yr, being the twenty ninth crew within the NBA in defensive score, there’s at the very least one piece of the puzzle that Utah can rely on this aspect of the ball. an evening to nighttime foundation.
Kessler hopes to proceed his defensive dominance after the Jazz’s mini-break after they tackle the Phoenix Suns Friday at 7:30 p.m. MT.
Comply with In Jazz on Fb And Twitter/X.
Subscribe to YouTube for the newest Jazz information movies and stay streams!
