The Utah Jazz are accustomed to having elite rim protectors from Mark Eaton to Rudy Gobert and now to Walker Kessler.
Rookies are rarely good defensive players. It takes time for players to learn the NBA game, especially the defensive side of it. Walker Kessler was a rare exception. In his rookie season, Kessler ranked fourth in the NBA in total blocks and blocks per game. His rim protection numbers were off the chart. He ranked 13th overall in Defensive RAPTOR last year and first among rookies. He had the fourth-best defensive EPM among players 21 years and younger.