Blaming Gobert for not having the ability to be in two places at once, exposes how little this sub understands defence. The Jazz guard/wing defenders inability to stop the most simple dribble penetration is what lost them the series.

The entire defensive scheme of the Jazz is built on Gobert's ability to erase any of the mistakes on the perimeter, which allows their poor defensive guards/wings to press up higher and take away three pointers (while Gobert takes away the rim). The Jazz may have one of the worst collection of slow-footed perimeter players and it's literally only Gobert keeping this team afloat defensively (he can anchor a top 5 defence on his own). You can see the defensive breakdowns that lead to so many Clippers three pointers.

This was Mann's 6th three of the game.

https://i.imgur.com/Oxl2wUI_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

Just look at how easy it was for Jackson to blow by Clarkson and put Gobert in a impossible situation, either he let's Reggie get an easy basket at the rim or he gives up a corner three.

https://i.imgur.com/4OeHHCy_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

So Gobert chooses to protect the rim and stop Jackson's drive. Look at how tight the rest of the Jazz players are on their man, no is rotating to the short corner and they leave Gobert an island alone.

https://i.imgur.com/nLh2j0A_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

Mann hits an easy corner three and that was basically the dagger.

Now let's look at a play where Gobert chooses not to commit to the driver and they get a layup.

https://streamable.com/qkfi1i

Mitchell's defence and effort here was embarrassing, he just let's Reggie Jackson get right to the basket. If Gobert helps he gives up an easy corner three.

Now there are people bringing how well Jackson/Mann took Gobert off the dribble and I won't argue that Gobert can struggle defending in space (most big men not named Davis do), but I think a lot of their shots were decently contested and they made some spectacular shots/finishes.

Let's look at Jackson make a tough fade away midranger over Gobert.

https://streamable.com/awdenu

What is Gobert supposed to do better there? It's simply a great shot over a solid contest.

Here's a Jackson drive at Gobert (after a Royce O'Neil allows Jackson to just blow by him).

https://streamable.com/zlggsd

This was a fantastic finish and a great contest without fouling, Jackson simply made a tough driving lay up.

I could keep showing awful Jazz perimeter breakdowns leading to layups or three pointers, but no one wants to watch the entire game again. My point is that blaming Gobert for every single defensive breakdown is lazy analysis and shows a lack of defensive knowledge. I do think it's hard for Gobert to play against small ball (especially elite small ball), but he had 0 help from his teammates.

Also we need to give some props to the Clippers and how many skilled players they have on their team, it's not easy running a 5 out offensive scheme and their big wings were wonderful (Batum has been the most underrated player in the playoffs).