LeBron James flaming the Utah Jazz became one of the highlights of the 2021 All-Star draft. After Mitch and Gobert were the last ones remaining on the board, the “King” roasted the pair and their organization, insisting that nobody really messes with that franchise.
“There’s no slander to the Utah Jazz,” James said on Thursday night. “You guys have to understand, just like in video games growing up we never played with Utah. Even as great as Karl Malone and John Stockton was we would never pick those guys in video games.”
Many were expecting a strong retort by Donovan Mitchell, but he seemed relatively unbothered when asked to respond.
“I don’t want to be rude, but I really don’t care. People have been talking sh*t about me for a while…we’re not doing this to seek the approval of him.”
"I don't want to be rude, but I really don't care. People have been talking sh*t about me for a while…we're not doing this to seek the approval of him."
– Donovan Mitchell on LeBron’s comments about the Utah Jazz
(via @NBASarah) pic.twitter.com/LtZLIdb3Me
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 7, 2021
Spida wasn't bothered by LBJ joking about the Jazz.
"We didn’t play this game to seek the approval of him or anyone else." https://t.co/pIgP6WO5nJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 7, 2021
When it comes to small-market franchises, Utah may be at the bottom of the barrel. They reside in the mystical state of Utah and don’t have much of a history to work with.
This season, the Jazz are first in the West, boasting the league’s best record at the All-Star break. Even still, very little attention and respect are getting thrown their way — which is nothing new at all for the team.
To really make an impression, and put themselves on the map, the Jazz will need to win a title — and nothing short of it.
