The National Basketball Association (NBA) has ended its season early after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert – who made light of the coronavirus scare at a recent press conference – was confirmed to carry the disease.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said in a statement on Wednesday night, adding it would “use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
NBA To Suspend Season Following Tonight's Games pic.twitter.com/2PTx2fkLlW
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2020
Gobert, who the league said had “preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19,” has come under fire over a recent press conference, where the player deliberately wiped his hands on journalists’ microphones and recorders before leaving the press event, apparently mocking the intense reaction to the lethal outbreak.
I’m thinking funny guy @rudygobert27 owes several reporters an apology after a couple days ago he touched all their microphones & recorders. Reports say he’s infected with the coronavirus.
— Rick Pendergraft🇺🇸 (@RPendergraft) March 12, 2020
The stunt has earned Gobert the title of the “dumbest player in NBA history” in some quarters, with outrage quickly lighting up social media over his disregard for a virus the World Health Organization has deemed a global pandemic.
#RudyGobert childishly touched all of the microphones and recorders to mock everyone concerned about the #coronavirus.
Tonight, @RudyGobert27 has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Dumbest player in #NBA history.#CoronavirusOutbreak #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/UTHGKonxSl
— FREE NBA WINNERS BY EMAIL (@SharpPlaysNBA) March 12, 2020
Here’s Rudy Gobert thinking he’s being funny, and really touching on Karma’s mics like she ain’t gonna notice.pic.twitter.com/VmLBYMxf4X
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) March 12, 2020
This didn’t age well… #RudyGobert #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/FHIkXxljof
— SCOTT WARNER (@ScottWarner18) March 12, 2020
@rudygobert27 what a JOKE of a human being!! An absolute DISGRACE stopping the entire NBA season because of flat-out STUPIDITY! Purposely touching every microphone and putting so many players and people at risk! You should be ASHAMED! @rudygobert27
— Hunter Sadlon (@hitmanhunt33) March 12, 2020
Some netizens had little patience for those chastising the player, however, instead voicing concern for Gobert, his family and teammates.
Anyone that is taking this time to mock Rudy Gobert instead of showing concern for his health, his families , teammates or anyone else, shame on you. I cannot deal with how horrible people can be during times like this. And prayers to my boy @emmanuelmudiay #RudyGobert
— Eric Larsen 🎵 Take Note (@Elars777) March 12, 2020
The decision to suspend the remainder of the NBA season came after a game between Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was postponed just prior to tipoff, after Gobert’s test came back positive. Though he never entered the arena, players from both teams were immediately quarantined. Athletes on teams that have played matches against Jazz in the past 10 days – including the Detroit Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors – have also been asked to self-isolate.
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Source: RT