Utah Jazz: J-Notes Staff Bold Predictions for the 2017-18 Season

Two Jazzmen get All-Star Nods

“Last year, Gordon Hayward was the first Jazz player since Deron Williams in 2010-11 to be selected as an All-Star. So how can a team so star-starved possibly send two players to this year’s All-Star game in Los Angeles after losing their only All-Star in six years?

First off, the Jazz really had two All-Stars last year. Just ask Rudy Gobert how he feels about last year’s selections. I would consider Rudy a lock to make this year’s squad, however, where will the second representative from the Jazz come from?

I believe there are two likely candidates for this Jazz squad to step up and claim their spot among the league’s elite — Derrick Favors and Ricky Rubio.

This will be a year in the right direction for Favors, it just won’t be enough to re-create the Jazz frontcourt at the Staples Center when All-Star Weekend rolls around.

In my Regular Season Team Award Predictions, I predicted that Rubio would be the team’s runner-up “Biggest Surprise” and “MVP”.

I anticipate Rubio will not just replace George Hill’s production from last season, but I expect him to be the Jazz’s second-leading scorer and a primary piece of a Jazz team that surprises a lot of people in the West by the midseason mark.”

Remember, many considered a healthy Hill an All-Star caliber talent.

The Rubio move will prove to be one of the NBA’s most significant offseason acquisitions. #InDennisWeTrust”

– Tyler Thorpe (@TylerDThorpe)

Next: Utah Jazz: Regular Season Team Award Predictions

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