March 11th 2020 will likely always be remembered as one of the most troubling and confusing nights in NBA history following the events that transpired, a game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was cancelled minutes before tip-off, a packed stadium of fans abruptly asked to leave the arena and the night ended with the entire league suspended until further notice and the news that one of the game’s premier centres, Rudy Gobert had tested positive for coronavirus.
Many stars from around the league took to Twitter in the hours following the announcement. The general tone was players putting aside their disappointment at the news to urge fans to stay safe, LeBron James attempted to add some levity to the situation, tweeting, ‘Man we cancelling sporting events, school, office work. What we really need to cancel is 2020! Damn it’s been a rough 3 months. God bless and stay safe’.
Gobert’s teammate and countryman Evan Fournier instead gave fans an update on the Utah centre tweeting, ‘Was just on the phone with Rudy. He is doing good man. Let’s not panic everyone. Love you all’. Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray also sent well wishes to the former Defensive Player of the Year, saying, ‘Prayin for Rudy Gobert hope big fella is doing ok’.
One of the saddest consequences to come from the league-wide suspension is the potentially premature retirement of 22-year veteran and likely Hall of Famer Vince Carter, Carter had announced that this season would be his last and if the regular season does not resume, ‘Vinsanity’ may be denied the same glittering farewell tour that legends like Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki and the late Kobe Bryant were able to enjoy in their final seasons.
Carter did, however, take to social media to address what may be his final ever game, tweeting, ‘Such a weird night but I am truly thankful for each and every person during this 22yr journey. If this is really it, I thank everyone for your love and support for all these years’. In a heart-warming show of respect, consensus Rookie of the Year for this season, Ja Morant simply responded, ‘appreciate you OG. Much love’, with a picture of the two embracing from a game earlier this season.
The Inbound Observer 