Utah Jazz: Ranking the team’s best-ever All-Star Weekend moments
By Ryan Aston
3) Jazzmen pace the West to a win, Malone is MVP; February 12, 1989
If 1984 was the year the Jazz pulled themselves out of the league’s basement with their first playoff appearance, ’88 was the year they officially became a force in the Western Conference. So when the February classic rolled around the following year, Utah was recognized with three All-Star selections.
Karl Malone, John Stockton and Mark Eaton all donned the West jerseys that year, and would go on to lead the team to a 143-134 win over the East. The big win came despite a 28-point night from MJ.
Stockton notched 11 points and 17 assists (many of which went to Malone) in the game, while Eaton blocked a couple of shots in limited action. But it was the Mailman who shined brightest, scoring 28 points, grabbing nine rebounds and collecting his first All-Star MVP trophy.
It was a huge accomplishment for the future Hall of Famer. Also — Eaton’s selection as a shot-blocking big man gives one hope that Rudy Gobert will one day get his own All-Star nod.