[Full Clip of the Quote](https://streamable.com/jz3pny)
**Poole**: “Kevon **Looney was particularly crushed by this**. To see that this happened at a team dinner, all the players were there, the coaching staff were there. There were 30-45 people in the room. The restaurant had closed down for the Warriors to have their dinner there.
**I’ve been told they initially thought he was choking or something, but far more serious it turns out. On top of that, they had issues trying to find a way to revive him on site so they had to call an ambulance because the restaurant wasn’t equipped with something to help him out**. They got him to the hospital, he spent the night there. Wednesday morning he passed away. I do believe his family got to get to Salt Lake before to say goodbye so to speak. There was no question the game was going to be canceled. **Friday’s game vs Dallas is also in peril & very likely to be canceled or postponed at the very least.**
It’s one of those things where you never anticipate it, but when it happens so suddenly to someone who had such zeal, it hits really hard. It’s like a blindside shot. This is the obviously the ultimate worst outcome of any situation all year.”
**Burke**: “When I traveled with the team, they would go to Valter’s. It was this great Italian restaurant. With these private team dinners, because SLC is one of the sleepier cities to travel, players actually go to this dinner. Sometimes in like New York, Miami, or LA, players would branch off and do their own thing. But this was a location, where everybody went to the dinner. If most the players were there, the staff was there, and had to see Deki in distress. That’s awful.”
**Poole**: “That’s why this is so hard. Coach **Kerr addressed the team right after they got the news and of course, everybody’s distraught.** Your hoping he makes through this. That’s based on the communication I had with people Wednesday morning, it was pretty clear it was a grave situation. The words ‘prayer’ & ‘miracle’ were coming up. I mean man, the team is reeling and you understand why. He was someone who was a part of the fabric. To have this happen, when everyone is in the room. It’s **particularly close cause you’re literally witnessing a man lose his life. I don’t know how the team will respond to this.** Over time, yeah they will be fine over time. But initially, for how long will it take for this to be something they can get beyond. Which is one of the reasons why I think Friday’s game is in peril. **I don’t think this team is ready to play on Friday and the league might recognize that**.”
by NokCha_
31 Comments
Absolutely post-pone that shit. Seeing a person you know well die in front of you is traumatic as hell. I feel for the players and coaches so much. They need some time to process and grieve.
Does this really need to be reported on? Vultures.
Holy shit, This sounds horrific. No wonder they’re postponing the games. Rip to Dejan.
Jesus, do we really need the fucking details
Are most restaurants supposed to be equipped with a defibrillator? Was that the insinuation?
That’s so unfortunate.
Damn that sounds traumatic
They will be fine over time? I don’t think people who witness things like this firsthand ever really heal from it.
I would be absolutely traumatized. No way you can play a basketball game days after seeing someone close to you die in front of you
Played ball for years at the local university gym and literally had two different guys suffer heart attacks. Crazy enough, the older out of shape guy survived, the younger guy (30s) did not. Older guy we revived several times only to have him seize back up; younger guy never ever came out of it, pronounced dead at the hospital. Worst part in the latter case, his brother – an RN of all things – was covering him when he dropped. Spent the entire time trying to revive him. I think with younger guys there’s often some kind of underlying genetic thing. The older guy who lived said he didn’t remember a thing. But for everyone else it’s shattering to watch it unfold.
Rest in Peace ❤️
damn….this is so tragic. RIP Dejan
Highly recommend everyone take a first aid class. You know never know when something like this could affect you, a loved one, or if you could help out a stranger in need.
Knowing how to use an AED is usually a part of the class and can be a difference maker, even just knowing basic compressions and managing a situation, getting people to call 911, not crowd, etc.
RIP Dejan man…he was only 46. Life is short man, it’s so short, this is so unfortunate.
Can’t imagine what his family is going through. Can’t imagine what this team is going through. Everyone was at this dinner, all players and staff….
Fuck, that is terrible. I feel bad for the team having to witness that and just imagining how scary and painful those moments were for Dejan. My heart goes out to the Warriors org and Dejan’s family and friends.
I’d like to hear more details about why the restaurant wasn’t equipped to help him. Not saying they deserve any bad press, and I honestly, don’t know what goes into life saving or sustaining measures for someone experiencing a heart attack but just assume that places with that kind of capacity has emergency equipment on hand for staff and customers.
Regardless, this is such a sad story. And basketball is probably the furthest thing from the minds of Warriors players and coaches right now. Don’t blame them for postponing a few games
The problem on the cost side is that they have to be replaced relatively often, even if they haven’t been used and they are also only one time use. At least that’s what they teach us in our first aid class we have to take each year. At least that’s considered as a reason in Germany that they aren’t really widespread.
Everyone should be BLS certified, it takes half a day but you can save so many lives by just knowing your ABC’s and basic compression skills
so they just let him die
They need counseling for sure, watching someone you know and love essentially die in front of you is not something you just forget.
how tf does an establishment in 2024 not have an AED?
Hits different for different people. Mom died and I just wanted to go to the gym to distract myself with some ball.
They should postpone tho, the sudden ones are the worst.
Not to sound insensitive, but I spent a couple minutes here trying to find out why Jordan Poole was there and how he sounds more intelligent than his general public perception suggests. Found out it’s Monte Poole. Another assistant coach.
That had to be absolutely horrific for everyone there. Players and staff alike, and he was so young as well. I bet no one knew what was happening. It’s crazy you can feel fine enough to travel with the team and go to dinner and then die of a heart attack while having a good night out with your peers. Prayers to the family and absolutely post pone that game, this is an extremely traumatic event.
The shit that gets me is how no one was available to perform hands only CPR. It may have made the difference as they waited for paramedics. Then again as a CPR instructor, I can tell you that many public places are not equipped to do anything during cardiac episodes. You’d be surprised how I’ve come across places where the AED machines were useless because the batteries were dead.
This whole story is sad as heck.
My dad had a heart attack 2 years ago and luckily survived. It’s definitely something traumatic, especially when it’s someone close to you.
They can take all the time they need.
What a helpless feeling. I have distress just thinking about it. I can’t imagine being there. I wish his family well.
I’m sure it’s been mentioned but I’ll throw it out there just in case. AEDs are extremely important in CPR and the sooner CPR and an AED can be attached the better the chance of reviving someone is.
There’s a lot of cheap/free classes and opportunities out there to learn CPR. If you’re not sure where to look contact a local fire department, ambulance, medical facility or even police department for help on either setting up or finding a class in your area.
There’s also a lot of programs for getting AEDS placed throughout a community. They’re very simple and easy to use. Again contact businesses, city officials, local first responders for help or info on programs to get AEDs to local businesses and community sites as this can and will save lives.
Who gives a shit about basketball. They should give them all the postponements they need.
Poole? Wasn’t he traded to the wizards? Sorry I’m confused on what is happening
Isn’t the only way to keep someone’s body “alive” to keep doing chest compressions until the first responders arrive and take over?
AED’s will walk u through the steps for proper use. Theyre not hard but take a cpr/first aid class people, because you never know!
RIP, completely warranted to get the week off since a member of the team passed.
Love you Warriors fam