A Utah Jazz All-Star apperance
Prior to Gordon Hayward‘s All-Star selection in 2016-17, the Jazz hadn’t produced an All-Star since Deron Williams in 2011. And based on how things wound up with Hayward, I think it’s safe to say that Jazz fans are more than a little reluctant to claim him as one of their own.
Last season, the Jazz were the only playoff team that didn’t have a single player in their ranks appear in the All-Star Game. In fairness, this had largely to do with the fact that the Jazz didn’t come on until the latter half of the year and because Donovan Mitchell was a rookie and Rudy Gobert was injured for most of the first part of the season.
However, in 2018-19, especially if the Jazz find themselves in the top half of the conference by the time the All-Star teams are being assembled, they better have a player reach the All-Star Game. Rudy Gobert figures to be the favorite to do so considering that he was Defensive Player of the Year this past year, has received All-NBA Honors two years running and many thought he deserved the nod over Hayward in 2017.
However, if Donovan Mitchell can continue his ascent and lead the Jazz not only like he did for most of the regular season, but even more so as he did in the playoffs, then he could very well be considered for the recognition as well.
I’m not going to get greedy and say I have TWO All-Star selections on my wish list, though I certainly wouldn’t complain if such ended up being the case. However, I think it’s completely fair and logical for Jazz fans to hope and wish that one of their team’s stars is featured in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.