With a chance to play for the Utah Jazz, a team that went on to play in back-to-back NBA Finals, Derek Harper turned it down as the trade deadline went by telling reporters, “There was a Utah deal, but you go live in Utah.”
Rony Seikaly voided a trade to come to Utah and last year, the Golden State Warriors were upset after the Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 for its first playoff franchise victory since 2010. The Warriors’ reasoning: “There’s no nightlife in Utah.” Those comments quickly turned into hot-selling t-shirts as the Jazz organization donated all the proceeds for cancer research.
Now add Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni to the list after comments made by him were made public on Thursday in an article published by Sports Illustrated. The reigning Coach of the Year, admitted his obsession about Starbucks as he ritual includes always ordering a Venti, sugar-free, vanilla latte while reading the USA Today newspaper.
Having been in the league for more than 20 years now, D’Antoni has each Starbucks location memorized during the NBA season like the back of his hand… well, except for Utah.
“Utah’s one, it throws me for a loop. I’m serious,” he said. “I dread going there. I like Utah, but they don’t have a Starbucks.”
Wait… what! Utah doesn’t have a Starbucks???
As President Donald Trump would say, “That’s FAKE News,” Mr. D’Antoni. A simply search shows that there are nearly 10 Starbucks locations in a five-mile radius with two right down the street of The Grand America Hotel where NBA visiting teams always stay before games.
After D’Antoni’s comments went viral, Utah Jazz fans and writers and had a lot of fun it. Here are some of the top reactions so far:
Apparently, Mike D'Antoni was right. Utah doesn't have any @Starbucks. pic.twitter.com/9mCxZlIxAh
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) November 9, 2017
We had the @utahjazz #nightlife t-shirts. Now we can add the #coffeelife t-shirts. Maybe @Joeingles7 can help Mike D’Antoni find a Starbucks. I hear they’re lacking here in Utah. pic.twitter.com/Z8KlnjKATh
— Riser (@RRRiser) November 9, 2017
Some tell coach D’Antoninthat there are 41 Starbucks locations in the Salt Lake Valley. We also have running hot and cold water, electricity and gas powered cars.
— Art Moes (@amoes13) November 9, 2017
Mike D'Antoni is FAKE NEWS. Sad! pic.twitter.com/UDFjCknAiZ
— Classless Skip (@MenaceSocietyUT) November 9, 2017
Fan Buys Dirk Nowitzki Lunch For Taking Another Massive Pay Cut For The Benefit Of The Team
We may not have music or dancing, but we def have Starbucks.
— MediaTheLion | UTE (@veggiescott) November 9, 2017
Even Logan has 3 Starbucks near @USUAthletics. pic.twitter.com/4SPiLA0f3T
— Tyler (@Pioneerloft) November 9, 2017
— Devendu Dharni (@devendudharni) November 9, 2017
Pretty obvious it needs to be Starbucks Night at the next Jazz-Rockets game. Promotion: Free coffee if Utah holds James Harden under 40.
— Steve Luhm (@sluhm) November 9, 2017
