Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) high fives Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) after having a foul called on him against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. (Silas Walker, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Despite sitting in the Western Conference playoff picture, the Utah Jazz will not have a player represent the team at the NBA All-Star game in Charlotte in February.
It seemed as if Rudy Gobert had been picking up steam to receive the coaches support into getting an All-Star bid (Western Conference coaches vote for reserves). Even Donovan Mitchell’s name had been thrown around with his stellar January play, but his rough start made his chances slim.
The last time the Jazz had an All-Star was Gordon Hayward in the 2016-2017 season. Rudy Gobert not making the west team may come as surprise to some. He is coming off a year where he won Defensive Player of the Year and currently he has helped his team to fifth in the defensive rating despite the tough schedule to begin with.
His offense has gone up a notch slightly as well. Gobert is putting a career-high 15 points per game and pulling down 12.8 rebounds. He also leads the league in double-doubles at 41 total this season. Karl Anthony Towns, who did make the team as a reserve, is second at 33 double-doubles.
Some fans and media joked this might help the Jazz as they might get to see an “angry” Rudy.
Former Weber State and current Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard did receive an All-Star selection as a reserve. While players are chosen from their respective conferences, the contest will not be East vs. West. Two captains will select from the pool of players but must start with those who were first selected as starters for the game. Starters were announced last week based on fans, media, and players votes. Those will be the following players:
Western Conferences:
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
James Harden, Houston Rockets
Eastern Conference:
Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
Then the captains will choose those selected as reserves. Here are all the reserve selections:
The Utah Jazz next plays at home against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at 7 P.M.