With no Utah Jazz players represented in the biggest events of All-Star Weekend, hearing Donovan Mitchell cover the Slam Dunk Contest will be the biggest treat for Jazz fans.
When the NBA All-Star reserves were announced about two weeks ago, Utah Jazz fans were disappointed to learn that their star center Rudy Gobert was left off the list. Despite having a clearer impact than a number of players that qualified for the big event, namely LaMarcus Aldridge and Karl-Anthony Towns, Gobert was blatantly snubbed from contention.
As such, the All-Star Game isn’t set to be as riveting for Jazz fans as it otherwise could have been. In fact, there isn’t a whole lot for Jazz fans to look forward to this upcoming weekend. Of course, there will be no Joe Ingles in the 3-Point Challenge and no Jazzmen in the Skills Challenge either. The highlight of last season’s All-Star Weekend for Jazz fans was undoubtedly the Slam Dunk Contest in which the high-flying Donovan Mitchell took home the crown.
Unfortunately, he won’t be making a return appearance to defend his crown this time around. In other words, aside from Friday’s Rising Stars event, which quite frankly I find less than riveting, there won’t be any Jazz players in competition during All-Star Weekend.
That said, the Dunk Contest will very likely still be the highlight for Utah Jazz fans as it was recently announced by The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen that Donovan Mitchell will be on the broadcast announcing team for the event along with Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith and others.
Donovan Mitchell will be on the TNT broadcast announce team during the Slam Dunk Contest this year, along with Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith, and others.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) February 7, 2019
As Jazz fans know, Donovan Mitchell has an infectious personality and a seeming gift for being in front of the camera and giving analysis. We saw him do some similar work in the NBA Finals a year ago, and it will be exciting to see him back at it, especially covering an event for which he’s the defending champ.
I’m a huge fan of anything Kevin Harlan announces, so having Mitchell paired alongside him and other iconic voices will likely be a real treat. Although it would admittedly be more fun to see Mitchell soaring with the other dunk contestants, listening to him announce will likely be the next best thing.
And especially during an All-Star Weekend that’s disappointingly devoid of Jazz players, it will likely be the highlight for the Utah faithful.
I’m confident that Donovan will do the Jazz proud while announcing the Slam Dunk Contest. And hopefully this year will mark the last All-Star Weekend in a long time that no members of the Salt Lake City squad are in action. Rudy Gobert was certainly deserving this year, and if Mitchell continues his current ascent, he should join him in the All-Star ranks in no time at all.