Have you grown tired of the allegedly irreparable feud between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell? Buckle up, Utah Jazz fans — this story’s not going anywhere.
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the future of the NBA’s season, it’s hard to be a basketball fan. Combine that with a riff between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell that, according to The Athletic, “doesn’t appear salvageable,” and these days, it’s even harder to be a Utah Jazz fan.
On Tuesday, however, bursting through the thick, COVID-caused clouds, a beacon of hope shone brightly for citizens of #TakeNote Nation. Speaking with reporters via Zoom, Dennis Lindsey, the Utah Jazz’ vice president of basketball operations, had this much to say of Gobert and Mitchell:
"“They’re ready to put this behind them, move forward, act professionally. Look, the COVID-19 night 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.”"
Lindsey’s comments shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, though. Back on April 12, Gobert confirmed that he and Mitchell had spoken during a chat with Taylor Rooks on Instagram Live:
Snippet from the conversation with Rudy Gobert addressing media speculation about his relationship with Donovan Mitchell: pic.twitter.com/jQ8KaPEnZs
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) April 12, 2020
And if that weren’t enough of a peace-making pow-wow to wipe away any bad blood between the pair of All-Star talents, as Lindsey tells it, Gobert and Mitchell have spoken not only once, but many times since this whole mess started — on just about every imaginable “level,” in fact:
- “The players level.”
- “The coaches level.”
- “The ownership level.”
- “The management level.”
No, the two of ‘em haven’t yet met on “the Jerry Springer level,” but clearly (whether forced or voluntary) an olive branch of sorts has been extended and accepted — this is over now, right?
If you’re at all familiar with the NBA, you already know the answer: not a chance.
Whether it takes place on or off the court, both fans and media members alike are drawn to the drama surrounding the NBA and its stars. Fifteen minutes into the Utah Jazz’s first game back from quarantine, Gobert will be open under the basket, only for Mitchell to miss him with a pass:
These are the possessions that I don't understand from Utah. No idea how they miss Gobert here. DHO and he slips. Smart does not help on wkside he's open. Swing to Bogdanovic and he is still open. pic.twitter.com/EjXeE6GD5D
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) February 27, 2020
This sort of thing happens all the time throughout the course of a game; it’s harmless. Mark my words, though: the first time it does, prepare yourself for a constant stream of timeline clips with Steven A. Smith, Max Kellerman and Skip Bayless making mock trade calls to Salt Lake City.
Seriously, though — any time the two even look at each other funny on the bench, yet again, this issue will rear its ugly head. The dispute might well dissipate in time, but the storyline won’t.
Don’t believe me?
Consider the constant, well-documented bickering between former teammates like Kyrie Irving and Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins and even Chris Paul and James Harden.
Heck, it’s been four years since Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors, and old details about his relationship with Russell Westbrook are still being beaten to a bloody pulp.
I’ve taken up residence in the camp that Gobert and Mitchell will soon permanently work out their differences — if they haven’t already. At the same time, though, I’ve cozied up alongside the Gobert vs. Mitchell narrative, as it will assuredly be months before it hits radio silence.
For the sake of your sanity, I suggest you do the same.