The Utah Jazz’s star duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are having All-Star worthy seasons, but their goal is to win something bigger.
After last year’s All-Star snub, Gobert got emotional talking about it and walked away from reporters, wiping away tears.
Since that moment, Gobert said he gained something: perspective.
This year, he isn’t worried about whether his name will be called.
“I’m not really nervous,” Gobert said. “I feel like it’s all about controlling what you can control. I’m not the one voting. So it’s all about trying to get a win tonight, trying to get a win tomorrow. Just keep winning. Keep doing what we do. That’s the most important thing.”
Gobert still believes he and Mitchell should be heading to Chicago for the All-Star game next month.
The Jazz currently sit in third place in the Western Conference with a record of 32-14.
Both Gobert and Mitchell are averaging career-highs in a statistical category.
Gobert is averaging a career-high 14.5 rebounds per game (second in the league) and Mitchell is averaging a career-high 24.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
“I think it would be rewarding for the work we’re doing as a team more than anything,” Gobert said about a possible All-Star selection. “I think we’ve been one of the best in the league this year. It would be great to be able to represent the team.”
Mitchell has been to All-Star weekend twice for the rookie-sophomore game and the Slam Dunk Contest, but not for the All-Star game.
“It would be an incredible honor,” Mitchell said. “Hopefully I’ll get the call. I would love to make it. But we have bigger things to focus on.”
Gobert echoes Mitchell’s view.
“All-Star or not, the goal is to win something bigger at the end of the year,” Gobert said. “It can be a distraction if you see it the wrong way. It’s something I was dreaming about as a kid. When I got to the league, it was one of my goals. But it’s all about getting better and winning as a team.”
