"In video games, growing up, we never played with Utah."
The words of LeBron James, last Thursday, on the occasion of the draft of the All Star Game.
Captain of his team, the "King" was indeed responsible for composing his "roster" by choosing four holders and seven substitutes, like his alter ego Kevin Durant.
A simple joke, intended to explain why the two players of the Jazz, first in the classification of the League, had been the last to be chosen.
In fact, Donovan Mitchell was the last name called by "KD", Rudy Gobert landing in the "Team LeBron" roster ... by default.
Since then, a third member of the Salt Lake City team has been selected for next night's All-Star game in Atlanta, Mike Conley.
The 33-year-old former Memphis point guard will celebrate his first selection for the benefit of the Suns back Devin Booker forfeit.
For Gobert and Mitchell, this will be the second time.
"You guys gotta understand ... In video games growing up, we never played with Utah."
@KingJames responds to Chuck during the #NBAAllStar Draft presented by @ Nikepic.twitter.com / 6sUOTxDJhX
- NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 5, 2021
The 28-year-old international pivot also equals the young retiree Joakim Noah (36), whom he described in recent days as "legend", at the time of the formalization of his end of career.
To catch up with the only other member of the very closed club of French All Stars, "The Stifle Tower" still has room: Tony Parker, since it is indeed him in question, was invited to participate in the party. mid-season six times.
The shepherd's response to the shepherdess
Still, the words of LeBron James, if they are not intentionally mean or contemptuous, symbolize the lack of recognition towards the Salt Lake City club.
Moreover, it did not fall on deaf ears: in the hours following the Draft in question, we saw the said Gobert parading with a t-shirt bearing the effigy of the former jazz stars Karl Malone. and John Stockton.
Or rather, their avatars in the NBA Jam video game.
If it is not an answer to the native of Akron, it looks like it… Although, the answer, Gobert and his small comrades will give it - or at least will try to give it - on the floor, during the second part of the season, after this mini "All Star break" and the all-star game this Sunday (2am, on
beIN SPORTS
).
In the meantime, the pivot of the Blues, Mitchell, Conley and Quin Snyder, coach of Jazz and "Team LeBron", will focus on taking advantage of the event in the Atlanta bubble.
An "ASG" which does not also make people happy, like… LeBron, who did not fail to state his opposition to the organization of the event this year.
He was not the only one.
LeBron: “Karl Malone, John Stockton, we just never picked those guys ..”
Gobert: * wears Stockton / Malone NBA jam t-shirt the next day * pic.twitter.com/9cbeRTwv0c
- Jake Lee (@JakeRexLee) March 6, 2021
There is no doubt that Rudy Gobert will have no trouble forgetting the criticisms and the taunts, his status as the last player in the draft, for an evening at the State Farm Arena.
We remember his tears in 2019, after his non-selection for the All Star Game.
So do not count on him to sulk his pleasure.
In addition, this is not the first time that this large stanchion (2.16m) has to face doubts and skeptics.
It started when he failed at Insep.
At the 2013 NBA Draft, he had to wait for the 27th pick to see his name called.
In Utah, he had a complicated first year, with G-League round trips.
"
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Until recently, the signing of his (very) large contract ($ 205 million over five years) had been an opportunity for some to spit their venom, like Shaquille O'Neal.
Not to mention the truckload of critics that fell on him after testing positive for Covid-19 last year ... "We do not take care of people's opinions", he promised in recent weeks, in our columns.
And to add, about the scratches of the "Shaq": "If it hurt me?
Not at all.
I respect him for his career, everything he has accomplished.
He says a lot of things to make people react, to make people laugh too.
Everyone has the right to have their opinion too!
Afterwards, I know my worth, my team knows my worth and the people who know basketball know my worth.
And looking at how much the others are earning, comparing the eras, I don't do that personally, I don't think it's really useful or healthy. "
Impervious to criticism, Gobert?
No, but he feeds on it.
He always fed off it.
And that visibly helps him to move forward, to progress, to build himself.
"As long as we continue to win matches, it will be impossible to ignore us indefinitely"
Rudy Gobert
And it is ultimately like a club that has never had the consideration of the general public and the media.
In fact, it's the lot of all the clubs that are in what are called small markets ... "It's been seven years (eight now, editor's note) that I am in Utah, so I know a little how it works , said the native of Saint-Quentin (Aisne) last year, on
Sport24
.
Especially social networks.
It's going to be hard to change that.
But as long as we keep winning matches, it will be impossible to ignore us indefinitely! ”
Title objective
Charge to the "Jazzmen" and their tricolor pivot to continue swinging after the All Star break.
One thing is certain: if the two clubs of Los Angeles, Milwaukee or Brooklyn have the favors of the predictions for the winning of the Larry O'Brien trophy, or even the Philadelphia 76ers, recent executioners of Jazz, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley and their little comrades have every intention of playing their luck to the end.
"We will be able to continue to aim for our objective, the title," Gobert told Le Figaro in recent weeks, referring to his XXL contract and what that means in the medium and long term for him and his club.
“It's good to win matches, it's super important, but the goal is to be the best possible team at the time of the play-offs, he explained to us again.
And we feel that we are progressing from match to match.
That is what matters.
And above all, we take pleasure. "
The future will say that they will take it until the final.
For now, the festivities are taking place in the state of Georgia, before a few well-deserved days of rest.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE TEAMS FOR THE ALL STAR GAME
Team LeBron
: LeBron James (LA Lakers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee, 1st pick 1st round), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Luka Doncic (Dallas), Nikola Jokic (Denver) // Damian Lillard (Portland), Ben Simmons (Philadelphia), Chris Paul (Phoenix), Jaylen Brown (Boston), Paul George (LA Clippers), Domantas Sabonis (Indiana), Rudy Gobert (Utah).
Team Durant
: Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), Bradley Beal (Washington), Jayson Tatum (Boston) // James Harden (Brooklyn, 1st pick of the 2nd round), Zion Williamson ( New Orleans), Zach LaVine (Chicago), Julius Randle (New York), Nikola Vucevic (Orlando), Donovan Mitchell (Utah), Mike Conley (Utah).
Packages: Anthony Davis (LA Lakers), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn), Devin Booker (Phoenix)
.
PARTICIPANTS IN INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS
Skills challenge
: Robert Covington (Portland), Luka Doncic (Dallas), Chris Paul (Phoenix), Julius Randle (New York), Domantas Sabonis (Indiana), Nikola Vucevic (Orlando).
Three-point shooting competition
: Jaylen Brown (Boston), Mike Conley (Utah), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Zach LaVine (Chicago), Donovan Mitchell (Utah), Jayson Tatum (Boston).
Package: Devin Booker (Phoenix)
Dunks competition
: Anfernee Simons (Portland), Cassius Stanley (Indiana), Obi Toppin (New York).
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