Cowherd On Jazz: ‘Donovan Mitchell Is Fine, Utah Is Fine’
Jun 30, 2021, 1:59 PM
Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder puts his hand on the back of the head of Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the LA Clippers at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz have one vocal supporter in Colin Cowherd, even as rumors spread that team ownership may be worried about the long-term ability to keep Donovan Mitchell with the franchise.
The popular radio host made the argument for players wanting to stick in Utah a day after ESPN’s Brian Windhorst theorized that minority owner Dwyane Wade might be worried about the superstar’s willingness to play for the Jazz deep into his career.
“I think Dwyane Wade is seriously concerned about Donovan Mitchell’s desire to stay there long-term,” Windhorst said on The True Hoop Podcast on Tuesday.
It's been a tumultuous week for the @utahjazz, but fans shouldn't be hitting the panic button.
On the season's abrupt end, the Snyder/Lindsey shakeup, and Wade's concern for Donovan Mitchell.
#takenote https://t.co/aWqXcJ8xBg— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 29, 2021
Cowherd made the argument by comparing the Jazz to another small market program that has continued to find success despite a belief that premier players wouldn’t want to play there.
“There’s always been this theory that a lot of stars don’t like to play in Utah,” Cowherd said. “I’ve always kind of rolled my eyes — out of Utah. Like Gonzaga basketball, they’ve been good forever.”
Gonzaga is consistently one of the best teams in college basketball, despite playing in Spokane, Washinton, who like the Jazz, have yet to break through to win a championship.
According to reports, Dwyane Wade is concerned Donovan Mitchell doesn't want to be in Utah long-term…@ColinCowherd defends the Jazz organization: pic.twitter.com/JtmIpgaLsZ
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 30, 2021
“Donovan Mitchell is fine,” Cowherd argued. “Utah is fine, they’re Gonzaga.”
Rumors of Wade’s concern surrounding the Jazz ability to keep Mitchell comes on the heels of the team’s second-round playoff exit, and a front-office shakeup that saw long-time Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsey step down from his position to assume a smaller role with the organization.
Though Windhorst said he wasn’t “implying” Mitchell would ask out of Utah, he mentioned the All-Star guard’s frustration with how his late-season ankle injury was handled by the franchise in the playoffs.
“Dwyane Wade is going to influence changes, and he’s going to influence changes because of the way Donovan Mitchell saw this season unfold, specifically how his ankle injury was handled in the playoffs,” Windhorst said. “It really unnerved him and he was in a bit of a rough spot with the franchise near the end of the year.”
New podcast. Elimination game Clippers proving to be fierce & what opposing teams are watching as changes happen in Portland + Utah (w/@kpelton & @royceyoung) https://t.co/NFRL1uOmDo
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 29, 2021
Despite what’s been a tumultuous week for the Jazz Cowherd suggested the team stay the course with Mitchell and their pursuit for a championship.
“If you’re well run and you’re smart in life, if you make good decisions, you’ll break through,” Cowherd said. “Just be patient, it’s all masonry. Just lay the bricks one after one, you’ll break through.”
