SALT LAKE CITY — Down the hallway at Vivint Arena, Rudy Gobert had passed by moments earlier, imposing and confident, comfortable in his space. Outside the Jazz locker room, countryman William Howard was coming from the same place — but a far different angle on Monday.
Both players were raised in France, 400 miles apart. Gobert is an All-NBA performer, the league’s two-time defensive MVP. Howard is hoping to earn a place at the table. That’s hard when you don’t play. He watched the Jazz’s summer league opener against Memphis from the bench, sidelined with a non-specific injury.