Utah Jazz: One bold prediction for every player on the roster

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 22: Jae Crowder #99 Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz look on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 22: Jae Crowder #99 Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz look on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
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French professional basketball player Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel attends the 2018 NBA Awards at Barkar Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by TARA ZIEMBA / AFP) (Photo credit should read TARA ZIEMBA/AFP/Getty Images)
French professional basketball player Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel attends the 2018 NBA Awards at Barkar Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by TARA ZIEMBA / AFP) (Photo credit should read TARA ZIEMBA/AFP/Getty Images)

Rudy Gobert will be an All-Star

Considering that Rudy Gobert has received All-NBA Honors two seasons running and was the Defensive Player of the Year this past year, the fact that he has yet to earn an All-Star appearance is almost criminal. Of course, two years ago he was overshadowed by Gordon Hayward in the first half of the season, so the former Jazzman got the nod over him. Then last year, Gobert was plagued by injuries and hadn’t logged much playing time by the time the votes were cast.

As long as those sort of issues don’t manifest themselves this time around, there’s no reason why Rudy shouldn’t be an All-Star in 2018-19. As a defensive monster, a rebounding ace and an underrated offensive player, he certainly deserves the nod. Particularly if Gobert finds himself at or near the 15-point, 12 rebound mark by the 2019 All-Star Break, he should essentially be a shoo-in.