Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Jazz VP: Gobert, Mitchell ready to 'move forward'

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 05 May 2020 16:36

Utah Jazz executive vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey expressed optimism about the continued partnership of franchise cornerstones Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell in the wake of their rift following their positive tests for the coronavirus.

Gobert and Mitchell did not speak to each other for a month after Gobert's positive test on March 11 triggered the suspension of the NBA season. Mitchell, who tested positive the next day, has acknowledged that he was upset with Gobert, who publicly apologized for careless behavior before he was aware that he was infected with the coronavirus.

"They're ready to put this behind them, move forward, act professionally," Lindsey said on a Zoom call Tuesday with media. "Look, the COVID-19 night of March [11] was really unprecedented. It brought a microscope to our team, and we get it. With that said, we're very pleased with the collective makeup of our group, Donovan and Rudy in particular.

"We look forward to moving forward. They've said their piece to each other. They've both visited at the ownership level, at management level, at the coaches level, at the players level with each other."

In a video post to Instagram Live on April 12, Gobert acknowledged that he had only recently spoken with Mitchell for the first time since the suspension of the season, but downplayed their differences.

"We're both ready to go out there and try to win a championship for this team," Gobert said then. "It's not about being unprofessional. You know, everyone has got different relationships -- it's never perfect. People that are married, it's never perfect. So you know, me and my teammates, it's far from perfect. But at the end of the day, we both want the same thing -- and it's winning. We're both grown men, and we both are going to do what it takes to win."

Mitchell has not publicly commented about his relationship with Gobert since acknowledging that "it took a while for me to cool off" during a March 16 appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Gobert and Mitchell, who both made their first All-Star appearances this season, have enjoyed significant on-court success in their three years together.

Mitchell became the first rookie since Carmelo Anthony to be the leading scorer on a playoff team in 2017-18, filling a void left by Gordon Hayward's departure in free agency and helping Utah advance to the Western Conference semifinals. Gobert won his first Defensive Player of the Year award that season, earning the honor again last season.

The Jazz currently are in fourth place in the West standings with a 41-23 record. Mitchell is averaging career bests of 24.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Gobert is averaging 15.1 points, a career-best 13.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.

The Jazz, who remodeled the roster over the past year to add offensive firepower around their co-stars, remain steadfast in their hope to build a perennial contender around Gobert and Mitchell for the foreseeable future.

"At the most basic level, they know that they need each other to accomplish the goals we want to accomplish as being the last team left standing in the NBA," Lindsey said.

Read 3889 times

Soccer

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Diego Simeone's 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alave...

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a m...

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has hit back at anyone questioning Bukayo Saka's commi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated