Why did the Utah House of Representatives pass a resolution to honor Donovan Mitchell?

Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell (45) plays against the Boston Celtics during the first half on an NBA basketball game in Boston, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. | Michael Dwyer, Associated Press

In a lighter moment during the legislative session Tuesday, the Utah House of Representatives passed a resolution 67-5 to honor Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell after the drama that has unfolded between him and Shaquille O’Neal.

House Resolution 3, which was introduced by Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, sought to recognize “the exemplary service of Donovan Mitchell to the Utah Jazz and the Utah community; and suggests consideration of making the “Spida” (Mitchell’s nickname) the official state arachnid.”

The resolution supporting @spidadmitchell over Shaq PASSES the house 67-5. #utpol #utleg pic.twitter.com/6WogrU2dZi

— Katie McKellar (@KatieMcKellar1) January 26, 2021

The resolution states, “in Utah, we support our players when they face awkward abuse during postgame interviews disguised as pep talks,” and that O’Neal’s claim that Mitchell doesn’t have what it takes to get “to the next level is even less accurate than his 50.4% playoff free-throw percentage.”

After taking jabs at some of O’Neal’s off-court ventures such as the movie “Kazaam” and the video game “Shaq Fu,” the resolution states, “Shaq correctly described Donovan as an elite scorer, given that in just his third NBA season during the 2020 playoffs, Donovan became the third player in NBA history to have at least two 50-point games in a single playoff series.”

Following more slighting of O’Neal and more extolling of Mitchell’s virtues, the resolution states, “the following immortal words, once spoken by Bill Walton, apply equally to Donovan, “He is a champion of basketball and of the human spirit as well.”

Noting the good Mitchell has done off the floor, the resolution also acknowledges similar actions from O’Neal and closes with, “Aight. That’s it,” echoing Mitchell’s response last week as O’Neal critiqued him on air during a TNT broadcast of the Jazz’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, wears a Jazz jersey while talking about HR3, which backs Donovan Mitchell and rebukes Shaquille O’Neal, during the Utah Legislature’s 2021 general session in the House chamber at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021.

Birkeland, who indicates on her social media pages that she is passionate about basketball and has refereed games in the past, wore a ref’s shirt while introducing the resolution Tuesday, and House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, wore a Mitchell jersey and had another beside him.

Wilson tweeted, “We’ll take Spida over Shaq any day! @spidadmitchell‘s greatness extends far beyond the court. He’s an example of service, dedication, and selflessness and Utah is lucky to have him. #TakeNote

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, answers questions about HR3, which backs Donovan Mitchell and rebukes Shaquille O’Neal, during the Utah Legislature’s 2021 general session in the House chamber at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021.

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