The Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era of the Utah Jazz was one of the most talented teams in the NBA’s modern era.
Led by Mitchell’s dazzling wonders and Gobert’s defensive masterclass, the Jazz were once a prime heavyweight throughout the entire league. They achieved success and were a mainstay in the Western Conference’s contention picture, making five straight postseason appearances from 2018 to 2022.
Beyond the star duo, Utah boasted an incredible support system for both Mitchell and Gobert. With the likes of Mike Conley, Joe Ingles, Jordan Clarkson, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Royce O’Neale, the Jazz were formidable and a fun team to watch.
Despite the promise they yielded for a significant stretch, the Mitchell-Gobert Jazz were unfortunately included in the list of the NBA’s best teams that didn’t win a championship.
The Jazz were mainly criticized for their numerous shortcomings and failure to reach the Conference Finals in their five-year run. As such, they also endured drama that stirred the league’s intrigue in both Mitchell and Gobert.
Although they were Utah’s main one-two punch, there were rumors that both Mitchell and Gobert disliked each other. The turning point was back in 2020 when it was reported that Mitchell had grown infuriated when it was believed that he contracted COVID-19 from Gobert, who infamously emerged as the first player in the Association to ever test positive on the disease prior to the season shutdown.
Regardless of how things have turned sour between them, Mitchell fondly reflected on his relationship with Gobert during their time in Utah.
“I think we both would say that we weren’t our most mature selves,” Mitchell told The Athletic. “But, it’s tough, because you’re never the most mature you are going to be when you are 21 or 22. The funny thing is that we were our best after the COVID thing. I think that’s when we got everything on the table and we were able to go and hoop.
After their partnership has ended in Utah, Mitchell and Gobert now find themselves in different spots.
Right now, Mitchell stands as the superstar leader of the Cleveland Cavaliers, spearheading the young group towards contention as the current No. 1 team in the NBA this regular season. Meanwhile, Gobert maintained his reputation as a defensive force, but as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
At the end of the day, Mitchell will always be thankful for his time with Gobert and the Jazz as it brought him where he is today.
“I would do it all again if I could,” he said. “I’m appreciative of that, because it allowed me to become this player and this person.”
Related Posts
