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Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder stopped by ESPN's First Take on Wednesday to discuss the social justice committee recently formed by the NBA coaches association. Naturally, Snyder was asked about the reported rift between Utah's two All-Stars, center Rudy Gobert and guard Donovan Mitchell, whose relationship seemed to be frayed after both players contracted COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic.
In his first instance addressing the situation publicly, Snyder downplayed tensions between the stars, noting the uncertainty around the novel coronavirus at the time it found its way into the Jazz locker room.
“I think it’s important to take a step back as you’re thinking about those two guys. They’re both really terrific people and excellent players. This was the first time that any two players on one team … that were diagnosed with that virus. If you can imagine the emotion, the fear, all of the different things that go through their minds and their feelings, it’s humbling to think about that, and we try to. I think right now, we’re in good shape. Those guys are getting ready to play, they’re as excited as anybody on our team or anybody in the league.”
Gobert's positive diagnosis on March 12 caused NBA commissioner Adam Silver to immediately suspend the 2019-20 regular season. After video circulated of Gobert touching microphones days prior to testing positive, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that some of Gobert's teammates, including Mitchell were peeved at Gobert for his “careless” behavior. The Athletic then reported that the Gobert-Mitchell relationship “doesn’t appear salvageable.” The Salt Lake Tribune added that Mitchell was “frustrated” by Gobert.
Gobert quickly apologized for his actions and donated $500,000 to COVID-19 relief. On March 16, Mitchell spoke to Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, and addressed his thoughts on Gobert.
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“It took awhile for me to kind of cool off, I read what he said and I heard what he said. I’m glad he’s doing OK, I’m glad I’m doing well.”
In April, Gobert claimed the relationship was healing. “It is true that we didn’t speak for awhile…But at the end of the day, we both want the same thing — and it’s winning. We’re both grown men, we’re both gonna do what it takes to win.”
Last month, Jazz vice president Dennis Lindsay told the media that the two stars were “ready to put this behind them, move forward, act professionally.”
Utah (41-23) currently occupies the no. 4 seed in the Western Conference, though it's unclear how that will translate to the unique playoff format in Orlando.
