From Karl Malone and John Stockton in the glory days of the ’80s and ’90s to Gordon Hayward’s appearance last season, the Utah Jazz have a long and storied history with the NBA All-Star Game.
More than five months remain before the 2018 NBA All-Star Game will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, Utah Jazz fans are already wondering if their team will be represented in the February classic.
Last year, the team’s years-long All-Star drought ended when Gordon Hayward got his nod courtesy of Western Conference coaches. One of the big questions in Jazzland currently is whether or not All-NBA center Rudy Gobert will get the same treatment.
The smart money probably says yes, although it could ultimately hinge on whether the team is able to stay afloat in the Wild West sans Hayward.
In any case, the Jazz have been well-represented in the All-Star Game throughout the years. From the early days of “Pistol” Pete Maravich in NOLA to Adrian Dantley and Rickey Green, the Stockton-to-Malone era, as well as Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams, and Mehmet Okur, the Jazz have been a staple at All-Star Weekend.
Going back to the Jazz band’s humble beginnings, here’s my list of the franchise’s five best moments from the All-Star Game itself.
Next: Maravich Makes Jazz History