I don't think Deron was ever a true Primadona. He was a little ****y, and stubborn, but he was never that bad.
I met him after a game in OKC, after I got what was essentially a back stage pass. It was all the players, and a lot of their families.
Deron was super chill. Took a picture with my wife, and talked and hung out the whole time. We clearly stood out being the only fans there.
Everyone was super nice to us. Brewer and CJ in particular.
Deron was crusified by some for daring to not bow to the master of all Sloan. Both men didn't handle it at all that well but I think Sloan was more of a "Primadona" in
that situation than anyone. "1, 2, 3, good luck". But I'll give him a pass. He was a legend, and gave us his all for decades.
Thrilled Deron is back with the us in some sense! He was the Mitchell of that era. Our player everyone knew all around the NBA, and had national fame.
He was also cool, and it was okay to be a Deron fan. Now I think Mitchell is even better, and an even bigger star, but Deron was pretty awesome in his prime with us.
Too bad he didn't play a couple more years with us he could have had his number in the rafters for sure.