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Utah Jazz: Could the Jazz have two All-Stars next season?

By John Keeffer

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 3: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 3, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 3: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 3, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell
THE 2018 ESPYS – This Wednesday, the worlds best athletes and biggest stars will join host Danica Patrick for “The 2018 ESPYS Presented by Capital One” on ABC. The star-studded evening celebrates the best moments from the year in sports and will air live on ABC, July 18 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT, from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Image Group LA via Getty Images)DONOVAN MITCHELL /

Mitchell’s All-Star Case

Donovan Mitchell’s case is a bit different than Gobert’s. I expect Gobert to make the All-Star team because of the coaches’ vote. If the Jazz truly take off next season, I can see Mitchell getting onto the team based on the fan vote.

I have been a Jazz fan my whole life, but I am only 27, so I don’t really have much of a memory for the Stockton and Malone days. I can speak for that time, but I cannot recall a Jazz player ever getting the national media attention that Donovan Mitchell has been receiving. The guy is everywhere. And for the most part, the attention has been entirely positive.

That said, if Mitchell can take the expected second-year leap, he could find himself as a borderline All-Star starter due to the fan vote.

The things that he was able to do on the basketball court as a rookie were just staggering. The highlights of his first year are mind-boggling. As a Jazz fan, I have honestly never been more excited to watch the career of a basketball player unfold.

We all know the numbers. Donovan Mitchell was the first rookie since Blake Griffin to average over 20 points per game, and he was the first rookie to lead a playoff team in scoring since Carmelo Anthony in 2003. He only scored less than 10 points nine times on the season, and six of those came within the first month of the season. He scored over 20 points 47 times on the year, topped 30 points seven times, and broke out for 40 or more points twice.

Those are just unbelievable numbers for a first-year player, and it’s nearly impossible to fathom that he was only a rookie.

Heading into next season, Mitchell should only get better, especially in terms of his efficiency and consistency. I expect him to match his numbers from the NBA playoffs, a time where we saw him average 24.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his first ever playoff run. Those numbers don’t seem like too much of a stretch for him to achieve during his sophomore season, especially with his work ethic.

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If the Jazz are one of the best teams in the league, then there is a real chance he could receive the votes to be voted into the All-Star game. Even if that doesn’t happen, he should get the coaches’ vote.

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