Douglas C. Pizac-USA TODAY Sports
KUTV News in Utah reported that former Utah Jazz general manager and current executive vice president of basketball operations Kevin O’Connor is going to remove himself from his position following the team’s dismal season. However, it has been confirmed by sources inside the Jazz organization that this is a false report.
CEO Greg Miller is the source debunking the report by the news station. Obviously, as far as sources go they do not get more reliable. Miller tweeted the following this morning after learning about the bogus report:
https://twitter.com/GregInUtah/status/329611556910428160
If that was not enough, team president Randy Rigby took it a step further and released a statement, courtesy of UtahJazz.com.
“Media reports of Kevin O’Connor’s departure are inaccurate and he is not stepping down. He is fully engaged in Jazz preparations for draft season. The working relationship between Kevin and Dennis Lindsey is unchanged as both individuals provide valuable expertise, knowledge and perspective toward building a championship-caliber team. Kevin will be a member of the Jazz family for a long time. No further comment is needed.”
Once again, the media decides to take unconfirmed material and turn it into what they claim to be legitimate news. There is a good chance KUTV News heard some rumor that O’Connor’s job was on the line, but the fact that they decided to go ahead with the report without any confirmation is irresponsible.
O’Connor is a well-respected man in the collegiate and professional basketball community. He has spent time as an assistant coach in college and as a scout in the NBA until Utah gave him his big break a few years ago.
The Jazz just missed out on the 2013 NBA playoffs as they posted a 43-39 record, good for ninth in the Western Conference. After an embarrassing stretch in which the team lost 12 out of 15 games from Feb. 23 to Mar. 24, Utah won nine of their last 12 contests.
Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
