The NBA has a long tradition of honoring returning players to their former franchise. This is usually done for players who have been in a franchise for a long time and achieved considerable success with them. But when the Utah Jazz honored a $205 million star, the NBA world didn’t like it and laughed at the Jazz.
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Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves returned to Utah for the first time since being traded. Gobert was sent to the Timberwolves in a mega trade for Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler and four first-round picks, and one pick trade. It was the first time he had returned to Utah since his trade and the franchise honored him.
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NBA fans mock Utah Jazz for paying tribute to Rudy Gobert
NBA fans didn’t like the Jazz paying tribute to Gobert. They said that Gobert had done nothing commendable in his time and did not deserve homage. Here are the best reactions:
They hate it LMAO
— Groovy () (@GroovyDaNuggboy) December 10, 2022
Worst trade in NBA history 💀
— 32🥷🏾 (@katszn_) December 10, 2022
He tries to imprint and Finch keeps talking haha
— Soccer Guy (@BarstoolVP) December 10, 2022
I guarantee that DM will not receive the same treatment.
—Charlie Zahn (@czahn1626) December 10, 2022
They are happy that you are no longer on their team lmao
— The CaruShow 🐐 (@BaldMambaSZN) December 10, 2022
Gobert at Jazz
The Frenchman spent nine years at Jazz, and he had an excellent time there. Gobert was drafted 27th overall by the Denver Nuggets, and he was later traded to the Jazz. He established himself as one of the best defensive players in the league. With the Jazz, he was a three-time All-Star, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a six-time NBA All-Defensive First Team player.
DIVE DEEPER
After Donovan Mitchell was drafted by the Jazz, they became one of the best teams in the West. Gobert and Mitchell became the two jazz superstars and they slowly improved. They had their best chance in the 2020-21 season, where they finished with the best record in the league. But the Jazz fell short again, losing to the Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Shaquille O’Neal’s height compared to his last rival Rudy Gobert
Gobert and the Jazz had one last round in the 2022 playoffs, but they lost to the Dallas Mavericks. Finally, the Jazz unplugged Gobert and traded him to the Timberwolves in one of the biggest trades in NBA history.
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It was a good night for the French international as the Timberwolves won 118-108. Gobert scored 22 points to go along with 13 rebounds as Minnesota moved up to 9th place in the Western Conference.
Gobert and the Timberwolves will return to Utah on Feb. 8.