UTAH JAZZ

Georges Niang Learned The Hard Way How To Address Coach Quin Snyder

Apr 29, 2020, 6:36 PM
Georges Niang #31 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)...
Georges Niang #31 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
(Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – In the latest episode of the “Ingles Insight,” the podcast hosted by Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles and his wife and former netball professional Renae Ingles, the couple was joined by Jazz teammate Georges Niang. Now in his fourth season in the NBA, Niang has bounced around between three teams before finally finding consistent minutes under coach Quin Synder.

Though Niang has found himself in Snyder’s rotation, their relationship hasn’t always been so smooth. Speaking to the Ingleses, Niang recalled his first interaction with his new coach after getting called up from the Jazz G-League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars.

“I think it was my first or second practice with [the Jazz] and I probably should have been a better judge of the situation but it just happened,” Niang admitted, “The Jazz were like 19-30, I had just come in and it was the middle of the season and coach had come over to me and was like, ‘Hey Georges,’ and I was like “What’s up, brother?”

Instantly, Niang said he recognized his mistake.

I think I was trying to be super relaxed and laid back,” Niang remembered, “You want to come off with the first impression to your teammates like you’re chill, but not your coach–you want to be serious.

As surprised as Niang might have been by his answer, the Jazz forward said that Snyder might have been the person most taken aback by the introduction.

I was like ‘What’s up, brother?’ And he gave me this weird look, and I was like ‘Ah man,'” Niang recalled, “[Snyder] tells the story later that he went up to [Assistant Coach] Johnnie Bryant later and he was like ‘Who is this kid?'”

Their first meeting wasn’t the last time Niang would misread the room.

Heading into a particularly tough film session with the team, Niang addressed Snyder by saying “Yeah bro!”

Snyder had a simple response.

“Watch yourself.”

Niang is the first basketball player to appear on the Ingles podcast, though Niang is the host of a podcast of his own titled “Drive and Dish.” With the NBA sidelined, the teammates have had extra time to host guests either in person or over a video call to conduct interviews.

The Ingleses have hosted several guests including Dr. Angela Dunn, the state of Utah’s leading epidemiologist, and Ty Burrell from TV’s “Modern Family.”

Niang has interviewed Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, and teammates Jordan Clarkson and Donovan Mithcell.

Jazz fans will like Niang’s story about this time with former Jazzman Al Jefferson as a rookie with the Indiana Pacers. Jefferson is a fan of breakfast sandwiches and a late morning snafu forced Niang into a creative solution to keep the big man fed.

  • Utah Jazz Scoreboard

  • Utah Jazz Team Leaders

  • Utah Jazz Standings

Utah Jazz

Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings drives toward the basket as Walker Kessler #24 of the Uta...
Ben Anderson

Kessler Career-High Not Enough As Jazz Fall To Kings

Walker Kessler scored a career-high 31 points but it wasn't enough as the Utah Jazz fell to the Sacramento Kings 121-113.ย 
2 days ago
Kelly-Olynyk-Utah-Jazz-NBA...
Ben Anderson

Jazz Fall To Kings In Battle Of Shorthanded Rosters

The Utah Jazz fell to the Sacramento Kings 121-113 despite a career-high 31 points from rookie Walker Kessler.
2 days ago
Walker-Kessler-Utah-Jazz-NBA...
Brian Preece

Walker Kessler Scores Career-High, Utah Jazz Battling Kings In Third

After scoring 19 points in the first half, rookie center Walker Kessler has a career-high 25 points against the Sacramento Kings.
2 days ago
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler dunks...
Brian Preece

Rookie Walker Kessler Leads Utah Jazz To Halftime Lead In Sacramento

Rookie center Walker Kessler continues to grow by leaps and bounds, outplaying All-Star Domantas Sabonis in the first half.
2 days ago
Jarrell Brantley - Utah Jazz - San Antonio Spurs...
Brian Preece

Jarrell Brantley Keys Second Quarter Run, Utah Jazz Lead Sacramento

Jarell Brantley is showing why the Utah Jazz brought him back to the franchise where he made his NBA debut with in 2019.
2 days ago
Johnny-Juzang-Utah-Jazz-NBA...
Brian Preece

Utah Jazz Rookie Johnny Juzang Gets Second Chance Bucket

Utah Jazz rookie forward Johnny Juzang picked up his own mess before finishing at the rim against Sacramento.
2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...
KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.
Jordan-Clarkson-Utah-Jazz...
KSL Digital Sales

Notable Moments From The Utah Jazz Season… So Far

At the beginning of the season, the Utah Jazz were second to last. Now they rank in the top 10 teams in the Western Conference.
Football soccer ball on grass field on stadium...
KSL Digital Sales

Everything You Need to Know to Watch the 2022 World Cup

Find out where and when to watch the upcoming games and final match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including where to find live updates.
ksl sports logos...
KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.
jimmy-buffett-tour-art...
KSL Sports

Win Tickets Wednesday: Jimmy Buffett

Get your Hawaiian shirts ready.
Iron Maiden tour...
KSL Sports

Win Tickets Wednesday: Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden returns to Utah in 2022 with The Legacy of the Beast tour.
Georges Niang Learned The Hard Way How To Address Coach Quin Snyder