Utah Jazz notes: Team submits All-Star hosting bid, Braun makes Team USA

The Utah Jazz’s push to host the NBA All-Star Game once again has been made official. Also — SLC Stars’ forward Taylor Braun is balling with Team USA.

So, it’s been kind of a long time since the Utah Jazz and Salt Lake City hosted NBA All-Star Weekend. The year was 1993; for frame of reference, Roseanne and Home Improvement were TV’s top-rated sitcoms at the time and pogs were all the rage. I had a few hundred milk caps myself and my slammers were wicked, brah.

Also: Karl Malone and John Stockton were still a decade away from retiring and Bill Clinton had just been elected president. So, yeah — long time. However, Utah is pushing hard to bring the NBA’s February classic back to Salt Lake. To that end, the Jazz officially submitted their hosting bid on Friday.

Per the team’s announcement, “Game Elevated” was the theme of their bid, which was submitted electronically, as well as via physical shipment in a custom-made box with an iPad containing their pitch presentation.

Said Greg Miller, the team’s rep on the NBA Board of Governors —

"“The 1993 NBA All-Star Game was memorable for many reasons. Our new arena was just two years old, and we were so proud to welcome the NBA family into our new home. It is with great excitement and anticipation that we now invite the NBA to return this celebration of our sport back to Salt Lake City for a game elevated.”"

As had been reported previously, the Jazz are looking to bring the All-Star Game back to SLC in either 2022 or 2023. In other words, just in time for the 30th anniversary of their last All-Star turn. However, the Boston Celtics are considered strong contenders to host the ’22 event, per Chris Mannix.

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If you ask me, the big game’s return to the Rocky Mountains is long overdue; a no-brainer move for both the city and the Association.

Salt Lake City Stars’ Braun makes Team USA roster

Qualifying for the 2019 FIBA World Cup has resumed for the Americas region and Taylor Braun — who normally plies his trade for the Jazz’s G-League affiliate — is in on the action. Both he and David Stockton, son of Jazz legend John Stockton, made Team USA’s roster and each hit the hardwood for their country on Friday.

In the 84-48 win over Cuba, Stockton scored 10 points and dished out three assists in 22 minutes of play. Braun, meanwhile, went 2-for-2 from the floor for four points in an eight-minute stint.

Next up for USA Basketball is a Monday bout with Puerto Rico.