FIBA World Cup 2019: 3 Talking Points from USA vs France

And the inevitable has been willed into existence
And the inevitable has been willed into existence

#2 The FIBA World Cup unearths a dynamic never-before-seen NBA duo in Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier

The duo combined for 43 points against the United States
The duo combined for 43 points against the United States

The Orlando Magic guard and the Utah Jazz center have formed a rather unforeseen combo that has taken the basketball world by storm. While Fournier is averaging a team-high 21 points per game on 45% shooting, Rudy Gobert has been a force on both ends of the floor. The seven-footer is posting a near double-double average of 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, along with a tournament-best average of 2.3 blocks.

Against the United States, both played a combined total of 66 minutes, which incorporated two notable rejections by Gobert in the dying minutes. Fournier finished with 22 points - including 4 three-pointers - while Gobert posted a monster stat line of 21 points, 16 boards, and 3 blocks.

Though he was facing his Utah teammate Donovan Mitchell, Gobert did not look like he missed his presence by his side. Evan Fournier's abilities to space the floor with his shooting has really helped Gobert's dominance inside the paint throughout the tourney so far.

Quick Links