Gobert, Mitchell begin mending fences: 'It's far from perfect'
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Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert said things have been rocky between himself and teammate Donovan Mitchell after both players tested positive for COVID-19.
However, Gobert says the two are mending fences and are ready to turn the page, he told Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks during an Instagram Live session on Sunday.
Jazz players, including Mitchell, were reportedly upset with the Frenchman because of his careless attitude toward the coronavirus.
Just days before Gobert became the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19, the big man rubbed his hands all over a pair of microphones and multiple audio recorders after speaking with reporters.
Rudy Gobert a few days ago poking fun at the Coronavirus panic. Today he tested positive for the coronavirus, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/lckIRhhK1S
— Reese Waters (@reesewaters) March 12, 2020
Shortly after Mitchell was diagnosed with the coronavirus, he made an appearance on "Good Morning America" and revealed there was some tension between himself and Gobert.
"It's true that we didn't speak for a while," Gobert said to Rooks. "But we spoke a few days ago. ... We're both ready to go out there and try to win a championship for this team. … Everyone's got different relationships. ... Me and (Mitchell), it's far from perfect.
"But at the end of the day, we both want the same thing. And it's winning. We're both grown men, and we're both going to do what it takes to win."
A phone conversation between Gobert and Mitchell occurred Saturday and it's said to have gone well, sources told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.
It was also recently reported that the duo's relationship "doesn't appear salvageable."
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year received plenty of backlash on social media, and he claims to have been sent "death threats" shortly after news of his diagnosis leaked.
"I'm someone that jokes around all the time," Gobert said, according to Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune. "People that really know me know my heart. Touching the mics made me look bad. It's all about perception. … It made me look like someone who doesn't care about other people's lives."