Your late-week dish of Utah Jazz news, including Gordon Hayward getting All-NBA votes, the voice of the Salt Lake City Stars and a new sideline reporter.
The NBA announced the last of its major year-end honors on Thursday, naming the 15 players who comprise the All-NBA teams for the 2015-16 season. While no Utah Jazz player made the cut, Gordon Hayward‘s career season was enough to warrant consideration on a handful of ballots.
New York Knicks radio analyst Brendan Brown, Portland Trail Blazers color commentator Mike Rice and Memphis Grizzlies play-by-play man Pete Pranica all voted for Hayward as an All-NBA third team selection.
It may not be the level of recognition that some fans expect, but Hayward faced stiff competition from one of the deepest position groups in the Association. Nevertheless, look for Hayward to make a stronger case for consideration with a healthy squad and (potentially) more Jazz wins in 2017.
Hayward averaged nearly 20 points, five rebounds and four assists per game for the Jazz this season. It may not have been an “All-NBA worthy” campaign for the Jazzman, but he’s definitely getting more press for the work that he’s done as the go-to guy in Utah.
The results of voting for the All-NBA first, second and third teams breaks down as follows–
ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM
| Position | Player | Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pts |
| Forward | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers | 125 | 4 | — | 637 |
| Forward | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs | 94 | 35 | — | 575 |
| Center | DeAndre Jordan | Los Angeles Clippers | 39 | 36 | 14 | 317 |
| Guard | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | 129 | — | — | 645 |
| Guard | Russell Westbrook | Oklahoma City Thunder | 120 | 9 | — | 627 |
ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM
| Position | Player | Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pts |
| Forward | Kevin Durant | Oklahoma City Thunder | 36 | 90 | 2 | 452 |
| Forward | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors | 40 | 74 | 9 | 431 |
| Center | DeMarcus Cousins | Sacramento Kings | 32 | 28 | 33 | 277 |
| Guard | Chris Paul | Los Angeles Clippers | 8 | 101 | 10 | 353 |
| Guard | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers | — | 48 | 73 | 217 |
ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
| Position | Player | Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pts |
| Forward | Paul George | Indiana Pacers | — | 28 | 73 | 157 |
| Forward | LaMarcus Aldridge | San Antonio Spurs | 3 | 11 | 55 | 103 |
| Center | Andre Drummond | Detroit Pistons | 13 | 26 | 30 | 173 |
| Guard | Klay Thompson | Golden State Warriors | — | 37 | 53 | 164 |
| Guard | Kyle Lowry | Toronto Raptors | — | 35 | 50 | 155 |
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Steve Brown Named Voice of the Salt Lake City Stars
On the home front, the Jazz made an announcement concerning the television and radio broadcasts for their D-League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars on Thursday. Steve Brown, who has performed in a variety of roles on Jazz telecasts, will be the Stars’ play-by-play announcer on both formats.
Brown, a Utah State University alum, has been with the Jazz since 1991. His career in broadcasting has spanned more than four decades.
Among the many hats that he has worn for the organization over the years, Brown is perhaps best known for his role as the sideline reporter for Jazz games. With Brown transitioning to his new gig with the Stars, the Jazz will have a new sideline reporter next season.
According to KSL’s Andy Larsen, Kristen Kenney will assume that lofty mantle.
Sources: Utah Jazz new sideline reporter will be Kristen Kenney. She's currently a presenter & host for NBC Sports. pic.twitter.com/sCC2dLAk1D
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) May 26, 2016
Next: Jazz Free Agency: Potential Power Forward Targets
Kenney’s resume is substantial. She most recently worked as co-host of the Red Bull Global Rallycross series on NBC and hosted the Golf Channel’s competition series Altered Course. She has produced pieces for PBS, covered college football for FOX Sports and worked college basketball games for CBS.
She has also covered the Drone Racing League, Major League Soccer and was a reporter at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.