Last night, around 200 NBA players got together on a Zoom call to discuss the return of the NBA season. The call was led by Kyrie Irving and it is being reported that he was making arguments as to why the players shouldn't return. In addition to not liking the bubble city plan, Irving says there are more important things than basketball right now and that the players should be focusing on social justice reforms instead.
According to Shams Charania, there were some star players on the call who also voiced similar opinions. Among them were Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and even Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz. Following this revelation, Mitchell came out and refuted Charania's reporting, saying "stop it."
Clearly, Mitchell seems offended at the notion that he doesn't want the league to return next month. Of course, the Jazz have quite a bit to lose here as they were in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference. They are a team with a lot of dark horse potential and it would behoove them to restart the season and potentially surprise a few people.
At this point, it seems as though there are contradicting reports on how the players really feel. Over the next few weeks, we will get a better sense of whether or not the players are actually on board with returning to action.
Legendary Jazz Head Coach Jerry Sloan Passes Away At 78
Jerry Sloan was a legendary head coach who brought the Jazz to two straight NBA Finals.
Sad news is coming out of the basketball world today as it was reported that legendary Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan has passed away at the age of 78. Sloan had been battling Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, which are ultimately the causes for his passing.
Sloan is a beloved figure when it comes to Utah Jazz basketball. He coached the team from 1988 all the way until 2011 and he helped them get to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. If you have been watching “The Last Dance,” you would know that he was heavily featured in the final two episodes of the series. Today, the Utah Jazz released a statement where they paid homage to Sloan’s contributions.
George Frey/Getty Images
Per Jazz:
“Jerry Sloan will always be synonymous with the Utah Jazz. He will forever be a part of the Utah Jazz organization and we join his family, friends and fans in mourning his loss. We are so thankful for what he accomplished here in Utah and the decades of dedication, loyalty and tenacity he brought to our franchise.
“Our Hall of Fame coach for 23 years, Jerry had a tremendous impact on the Jazz franchise as expressed by his banner hanging in the arena rafters. His 1,223 Jazz coaching wins, 20 trips to the NBA Playoffs and two NBA Finals appearances are remarkable achievements. His hard-nosed approach only made him more beloved. Even after his retirement, his presence at Jazz games always brought a roaring response from the crowd.”
Sloan will certainly go down as a legend and one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA.
[Via]
Raptors Forced Into 14-Day Quarantine After Jazz Game
Rudy Gobert was recently diagnosed with Coronavirus just two days after playing against the Raptors.
Rudy Gobert is the talk of the NBA right now and fans and players are extremely scared about the consequences of him testing positive for Coronavirus. The NBA is shut down for the time being which means the entire season is currently in limbo. This doesn't bode well for all of the teams out there that had a real chance to win the title. While the season can still go on, eventually, it seems like nothing is for certain.
For the Toronto Raptors, Gobert's diagnosis is particularly concerning. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the entire team is under a 14-day quarantine since they played the Jazz on Monday night. It's a development no one saw coming but at the end of the day, it's what needs to be done in order to keep everyone safe.
Fears surrounding the Coronavirus have been accelerated tenfold over the last day due to the fact that the disease is now considered a pandemic. Players on the Utah Jazz will now have to get tested and any players that have been in contact with Gobert, will need to do their due diligence in order to stop the spread.
Stay tuned for updates on this story as we will be sure to bring them to you.
Rudy Gobert’s Health Updated Following Coronavirus Diagnosis
Rudy Gobert was recently diagnosed with the virus after a bizarre stunt just two days ago.
Rudy Gobert was the leading trend on social media yesterday as it was revealed that he tested positive for the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. This news came as a huge shock to the NBA community although based on a recent report about his actions, it doesn't seem completely far-fetched. In the aftermath of this news, the NBA decided to completely suspend their season until further notice.
Social media hysteria was in full effect as many blamed Gobert for the spread of the virus. There was very little attention paid to how he is feeling right now although a fellow French national, Evan Fournier, made sure to take to Twitter where he gave everyone an update on his friend. As it turns out, Gobert is feeling fine and is already on the mend.
Fournier told his followers not to panic although that is easier said than done at the moment. This virus has numerous people scared for their well-being and now that is has become a pandemic, the hysteria has become heightened. Regardless, there are many ways in which one can avoid the virus so for the time being, just be safe out there and wash your hands.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as we will be sure to bring them to you.
Rudy Gobert Dismisses Coronavirus Protocol And Gets An "Illness"
Rudy Gobert really thought he was being funny.
Coronavirus has led to some pretty drastic measures in the NBA. For instance, the league is now doing press conferences with reporters standing far back from their mics and recorders. Today, there is going to be a meeting to discuss whether or not games will be played with fans in the crowd. Clearly, players are nervous about what's going to happen next although some don't care to play by the rules. One of those men is none other than Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz.
Just a couple of days ago, Gobert purposely touched a bunch of mics and recorders left at a podium by journalists. Gobert was essentially trying to show that the whole Coronavirus hysteria really isn't that big of a deal. Well, two days later, he was diagnosed with an "illness" and questionable for tonight's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Of course, it's very unlikely that Gobert actually has COVID-19. However, the timing of his illness certainly looks bizarre when paired with his stunt from just a couple of days ago. If you're Gobert, you've got to be kicking yourself for exhibiting such recklessness.
From this point forward, we're sure NBA players will think twice before trying to be smart. Coronavirus is now considered a pandemic and players are going to have to get serious if they want to protect themselves.
Rudy Gobert Goes Off On Officials After Avoiding Nasty Elbow
Rudy Gobert was almost hit by OG Anunoby but still got ejected somehow.
Basketball is one of the fastest games in the world so sometimes, things can be a blur. The heat of the moment can get players into some compromising positions and the referees have to make sure they catch on to every single thing that goes on. Last night, the Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors had a perfect example of this. During the Raptors win, OG Anunoby of Toronto was in transition and tangled up with Rudy Gobert of the Jazz. Seemingly out of nowhere, Anunoby threw an elbow in Gobert's direction although it didn't land.
Following the incident, Anunoby and Gobert were both ejected from the game. Gobert was extremely upset by it all and ended up complaining about it after the game. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Gobert felt as though the ref failed at protecting him. In fact, Gobert says he might take matters into his own hands next time.
“(OG Anunoby) tried to elbow me in the face. And the guy who’s getting paid to protect the players didn’t do his job," Gobert said. "We both got ejected when I didn’t do anything back, which I don’t understand. Next time I’ll do justice myself so (they) can eject me for a reason.”
While Gobert's frustration is warranted, there is little he can actually do about the situation. Referees can't just reverse calls on a whim and no matter how much you yell at them, it's not going to make a difference.
Gordon Hayward Had Jazz Fans In Their Feelings Last Night
Gordon Hayward had Utah Jazz fans on their scorned-ex energy.
Gordon Hayward meant a lot to Utah Jazz fans just a few years ago. He was the number one option on a team that wasn't going anywhere except for some first-round exits. Eventually, Hayward realized that he needed a change of scenery and signed with the Boston Celtics in 2017. His time with the Celtics has been a rollercoaster as it all started with a devastating leg injury and then some chemistry issues with none other than Kyrie Irving. Now, Hayward and the Celtics are thriving and last night, they played the Jazz in Utah.
The Celtics eventually beat the Jazz 114-103 although the real story was the crowd and their reactions to Hayward. Every single time he touched the ball, the fans booed to almost an annoying degree. Players have left teams in free agency before and they're typically met with hostility. Regardless, it seems like Jazz fans brought some real scorned-ex energy to the game.
Jazz fans have gotten in trouble before for their behavior. For instance, a fan was banned for life after getting into a shouting match with Russell Westbrook. This is yet another example of Jazz fans exhibiting an obscene amount of theatrics. Mind you, Hayward represented the team with great pride and this is how he is repaid.
This was the Jazz's fourth-straight loss so perhaps the team's efforts are another reason for the extra hostility.
Jazz’s Mike Conley Reacts To His Shocking Demotion
Mike Conley was supposed to be a huge addition to the Utah Jazz but his tenure has been a roller coaster ride of inconsistency.
Mike Conley was considered to be one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA, just a short time ago. While playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, Conley helped lead the team to a Western Conference Finals and produced one of the most exciting eras in franchise history. Over the summer, Conley was traded to the Utah Jazz where he was expected to make a huge impact and get them over the hump. For many, the Jazz were supposed to be a dark horse team that could even fight for a championship.
While the Jazz have looked great at times, they have also been a beacon of inconsistency. They are on a three-game losing streak and are falling back in the Western Conference standings. As of right now, they sit in fifth place with a record of 36-21. When it comes to Conley, he has been a huge factor in terms of their inconsistent play and today, he was demoted. Instead of starting, Conley will come off the bench tonight against the Boston Celtics. In the clip below, Conley reacted to his demotion and the Jazz's play.
Conley says he's not entirely sure why the Jazz keep losing although he thinks the team needs to stop dwelling on past losses and just keep marching forward. It may seem like a cliché but it's pretty solid advice for a team that has been struggling to maintain consistency.
Luckily for the Jazz, they still have 25 games left to figure things out before the postseason.
Russell Westbrook Brutally Honest About Rudy Gobert After Rockets Loss
Westbrook has smoke for everyone.
Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets last night in incredible fashion. Despite having a big lead for most of their game against the Utah Jazz, they lost thanks to a last-second buzzer-beater. Westbrook was a big factor in the game as he scored 39 points despite being guarded by Rudy Gobert who is the reigning defensive player of the year. As you can imagine, Westbrook brought a ton of intensity to the game and after the loss, he was asked about going up against Gobert.
Westbrook was brutally honest, as usual. In the clip below, he says Gobert isn't different from anyone else and is simply taller. Clearly, Westbrook isn't afraid of anybody, especially not someone who is highly touted for their defensive play.
Despite all of the talking, the loss isn't exactly a good look for the Rockets. Now, the Utah Jazz have jumped Houston for fourth in the Western Conference standings and have a record of 34-18. Meanwhile, the Rockets are 33-20 and have been fielding numerous questions about their ability to get things done in the playoffs.
As we head into the final stretch of the season, it will be up to Westbrook and James Harden to lead the charge. The Rockets are lacking size right now and their only fall back is a potent, unstoppable offense.
