ESPN reports that minority owner of Utah Jazz, Dwyane Wade, is concerned that Donovan Mitchell wants to stay in Utah.

There are rumors that Donovan Mitchell no longer wants to play for Jazz in Utah. He wants to go elsewhere.

No one on the outside knows if it’s right or wrong, whether it’s carved in stone with a hammer and chisel, or written on a napkin with a soft pencil.

Mitchell did not directly comment on the issue, which was publicly noted by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, that Dwyane Wade is concerned Mitchell wants to play elsewhere.

Wade, part owner of Jazz and confidant of Mitchell, wouldn’t know enough to worry, if that is indeed the case.

What everyone on the outside knows is that Mitchell was extremely dismayed, if not upset, by the end of the jazz season. He wants to win and he wants to win a championship, and he wants to be part of a team capable of both. Can Jazz put enough talent around it to achieve this goal? It’s a big deal for the 24-year-old star.

What else is a big deal for him is … equality for black Americans and all people of color in this country who need and deserve a fair chance to be treated with decency and respect and justice appropriated by both individuals, all individuals and institutions, all establishments.

He’s been completely outspoken about it, admirably, asserting himself as a brilliant young leader not just in the world of basketball, not just in the world of sports, but in the big and wide world, the world in which we. live and work. and play and suffer and discriminate and fear.

And for his strong statements on social and racial justice, his concerns about the education of children from all walks of life and from all walks of life, especially the most disadvantaged, Mitchell has received high praise. He was praised for his strength and outspokenness, his voice calling for change in a nation that has always needed it, and still needs it.

Conversely, he’s also been ignored and, even worse, criticized by those sorry souls who just don’t understand what he’s talking about. When he tweeted to celebrate June 15, a year ago, that black Americans have been “free” since 1865, the ignorant cries of ignorance on social media complained that as a wealthy basketball player -black professional ball, it should not qualify as free status. of black America.

Some sad people cannot see through their blind sight enough to understand that Mitchell gives voice to so many of those who are not normally heard, feel their pain, and as someone many see and hear, attracting attention. on the desperate. human advocacy of others.

The negative response from extremists on social media does not reflect the feelings of the majority of jazz fans, people who respect not only his basketball skills, but also his intelligence and the message he sends. It doesn’t mean that everyone agrees with all of his opinions, but they respect the man.

Mitchell has said he wants to talk to Utah lawmakers about teaching critical race theory in schools. He said it’s one thing to tweet these things, it’s another to communicate with those who are making important decisions, to have an impact.

And when news like this comes out, angry beasts on social media platforms lash out at the messenger with mean words and mean ways.

Bryan Schott of the Salt Lake Tribune reposted some of the bitter far-right reactions on Facebook to Mitchell when they discovered his desire to influence, or at least speak with, lawmakers. Here is a sample:

• “Playing ball and STFU.”

• “Here we go again, another stupid athlete hopping on the bandwagon.”

• “He has to stick to basketball and stay out of politics !!”

• “So I identify as an NBA superstar, I want to talk to him to tell him to shut up, sit down and play basketball unless he can show me his masters in history. American. “

• “So this is another rich black athlete who blames white people for the problems of the black community… Maybe he should close his pie hole… He made millions of white fans… Maybe he did. he should put some of his own money into the Dark Community… “

Sufficient.

I have no idea who these guarantors are, but I do know what they are.

And Mitchell too.

Pathetic.

There is no proof that they are fans of Jazz, and there is no proof of their level of education. The level of their ignorance is evident.

If Mitchell is bothered by the way the Jazz season ended, so be it. If he’s bothered by these social media posts, so be it.

But he should know one thing: They don’t represent the feelings of most Utah Jazz fans. If they did, if they represented the feelings of most people in the state, then we should all want to get out of here.

The reality is, Donovan Mitchell is one of the brightest and most conscientious young athletes in the world, and the majority of jazz fans adore him. Again, they may not agree with all of his views, but they respect him.

And they want him to stay. He signed a huge contract extension before last season, and the terms of the deal keep him here for a few more years, years in which he could win a championship, if the Jazz find a way to do it. .

He gets nervous, a little nervous, anxious.

He wants to win.

And he wants to win for a community worthy of winning.

Hope the whispers aren’t true.

And if they are, then maybe Dwyane Wade or Quin Snyder or Justin Zanik or Ryan Smith or Rudy Gobert or Royce O’Neale or Jordan Clarkson can bring it back.

Perhaps three million enlightened jazz fans can also collapse. And maybe these fans can help change the small percentage and the little minds of the obtuse, the dark, the dense, and maybe those in positions of power who should, in fact, be listening to what man has. to say.

GORDON MONSON hosts “The Big Show” with Jake Scott weekdays from 2pm to 7pm on 97.5 FM and 1280 AM The Zone, which is owned by parent company Utah Jazz.