NBA players are familiar with battling on the court, but in a huge offseason and free agency period for the NBA, the battle has spilled over into an emoji war. As prized Utah Jazz free agent Gordon Hayward visits teams like the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, Jazz center Rudy Gobert is understandably working to retain his teammate and hold the Jazz's core together.
Gobert, an already creative social media user, stepped up his Twitter game Saturday night, tweeting a series of emojis that included a palm tree next to a trash can (presumably to represent the Heat), a shamrock next to a poop emoji (presumably to represent the Celtics) and a saxophone next to a trophy — for obvious reasons.
Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas took exception to Gobert's tweet, following it up shortly afterward with an emoji series of his own, featuring a palm tree next to three trophies, a shamrock followed by 17 trophies and a saxophone next to an emoji crossing its arms to represent the championship totals of the three franchises.
Not to be outdone, Heat center Hassan Whiteside posted a response tweet with emojis representing the time period of 2000 to 2017, a shamrock followed by a single ring emoji, a palm tree followed by three ring emojis and a saxophone followed by three shrugging emojis.
Hayward is in Boston for the Celtics' recruiting pitch Sunday, complete with a welcome message on the Fenway Park video board, followed by a meeting planned with the Jazz on Monday.
bsmith@sltrib.com
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith
Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside (21) shoots over Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots past Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) and Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Thursday December 1, 2016.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) gets a rebound past Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Thursday December 1, 2016.
Boston Celtics center Al Horford, right, guards Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Jazz C Rudy Gobert speaks at the Jazz practice facility, Thursday, April 27, 2017.
Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Jazz C Rudy Gobert speaks at the Jazz practice facility, Thursday, April 27, 2017.
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) tries to move the ball in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, Friday, May 19, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives between Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) and guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, Friday, May 19, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, left, drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during the second quarter of Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, Wednesday, May 17, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) tries to move the ball in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, Friday, May 19, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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