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2017 NBA Playoff awards race: Kawhi Leonard is certainly a robot

By John Buhler

San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) cheers from the bench after fouling out in the fourth quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) cheers from the bench after fouling out in the fourth quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the Playoffs: Rudy Gobert

When we’re looking at Rookie of the Playoffs, we’re going to go with guys who have appeared in their first NBA Playoffs of their career, not necessarily rookies from the 2016-17 regular season. This one is close and could change depending on what the Wizards do, but Jazz center Rudy Gobert edges out Wizards power forward Markieff Morris for 2017 Rookie of the Playoffs.

Gobert’s Jazz won a fantastic first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz are now entirely responsible for the Clippers having to get blown up this offseason. Utah may have bested the Clippers in seven games, but needed only four to go back to Salt Lake City for good once the Jazz ran into that Western Conference buzzsaw that is Golden State.

Gobert showed in his 11 playoff games that he is here to stay. He, small forward Gordon Hayward and head coach Quin Snyder demonstrated that Utah has serious growth potential heading into next season. That is assuming that Hayward doesn’t skip town in his unrestricted free agency.

As a playoff rookie, Gobert averaged 11.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per playoff game. Gobert was an integral part of the Jazz’s first playoff run in some time. Look for him to be a prominent piece in future Jazz playoff teams going forward.

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