After signing the biggest contract for a center in NBA history, Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert looked back at his basketball journey, which began in France years ago. He also had a message for his haters who believe that the Jazz overpaid him, and fellow All Star Donovan Mitchell, with whom he had a rift after he tested positive for COVID-19 back in March.

In an essay published on The Undefeated with Marc J. Spears, the 28-year old Gobert opened up about receiving the lucrative, five year, $205 million contract extension from new Jazz owner Ryan Smith and reflected on how far he’d come in his career. The 2020 All Star also thanked his haters for providing him with a challenge and reminding him that he can still be better.

He also took the time to mention Mitchell, who also received a five-year, $195 million rookie contract extension from the Jazz. Gobert said that it was with the 24-year old guard that he’d like to continue his basketball journey, and even referred to their ups and downs as teammates and how it benefitted them.

All the things that happened between me and Donovan, within our team and also in the world, I think it really helped us to understand each other better. And now I’m really sure that – and I’m speaking with my heart – we know we can win together, and I want to win with Donovan.

In the 2019-2020 season, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year averaged 15.1 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and two blocks per game while shooting 69.3% from the field on his way to his first All Star appearance. The Jazz are coming off a heartbreaking first round series loss to the Denver Nuggets, which saw them squander a 3-1 series lead.

With Gobert and Mitchell locked in for the foreseeable future, however, Utah will come into a new season highly motivated to prove that the ownership was right in signing them to lucrative new deals.