OKC Thunder: NBA Power Rankings -Griffin buyout shifts ladder at half way mark
. 27-9. Previous: 1st. Utah Jazz. 3. team. 118
Utah Jazz:
Week 11: 0-2
Lost to: Pelicans 124-129, 76ers 123-131 ()OT)
Week 12 opponents: Rockets @Warriors
Offense: (116.7) 4th
Defense: (108.2) 4th
Net: (Plus +8.5) 1st
Rough week for the Utah Jazz on and off the court. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert were the last selected by All-Star team captains, LeBron and KD. The shade got worse as they then essentially punked the Jazz laughing at them saying no one ever picks the Jazz in NBA 2K.
Utah lost both games entering the break with the latter occurring against the 76ers in overtime. Post-game Donovan Mitchell who got ejected went on a rant about the refs essentially calling out the league and implying there is favoritism occurring on the court.
He probably should’ve been more specific as his cryptic comments left room for viewers to assume it was simply Spida being a poor sport. But, if you watch a ton of basketball he has a point. Go back and watch how the refs have helped the Lakers and Celtics specifically recently.
Mitchell’s rant felt similar to many of the small market teams who often feel the sting of the officials calls. Perhaps it’s an inferiority complex small market team fans feel, but the majority of the league is comprised of teams from small markets. While the media said they didn’t comprehend Mitchell’s rant — the narrator feels this season has been the most blatantly biased toward big market teams in recent history.
Perhaps that’s due to the pandemic and lost revenue from fan attendance and the league feeling they need to make sure sponsors are happy with the teams featured but fans simply want to see competitive basketball.
Ultimately, the Jazz will have to earn the respect of the officials and opponents, and the only way to do it will be to lower their heads, do the work and force the issue.