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So All-Star Weekend has come and gone, and before you know it I'll be back here writing Utah Jazz game previews and stuff. Blah, am I right? Well, before we get there we need to take one last look at how the team did at All-Star weekend. No doubt, there were many festivities and events (NBA Fit, NBA Cares, etc) where our players past (Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews, and legends like Karl Malone and Mark Eaton), present (Trey Burke, Dante Exum, and Rudy Gobert), and possible future (NBA-DL Idaho Stampede player Jerrelle Benimon) shined. But the big name events are what we care about most. So let's go to it!
- Trey Burke -- B: Trey played in the Rookie/Soph game and the NBA Skills Challenge. He played in both last All-Star weekend as well where he played poorly in the game, but won the event. The reverse happened this time around, where his 17 points and efficient play helped Team USA stay in the game; while he did not advance past the 1st round of the Skills competition. At least he was asked to be in the even, though. The NBA is 'wonky' in who they choose for these things, but it seems like Trey Burke is someone they don't mind promoting. For a small market team that's losing a bunch of games it's nice to know that NCAA Star power does matter a little right now. Trey gets a B from me because he is visible, and played well in one of the more popular events right now, while getting invited to participate in other events -- even if he didn't do well.
- Dante Exum -- C+: Dante didn't get a chance to show what he can do, and playing behind Dennis Schroder and his high assist night and highlight plays, kept him in the shadow for the World team in the Rookie/Soph game. Exum has skills, and a great handled coupled with unfair quickness, but did not use them to wow people on scoring plays. That game is all about showing off and gaining new fans. Someone like Zach LaVine did, and built momentum up for the Dunk Contest. I don't know if Dante did that, despite having a quietly productive game.
- Rudy Gobert -- A+: Few people do something crazy in an early event, and have people still buzzing about it two days later. After the three point and dunk contest, and after the All-Star game itself, Rudy Gobert made a big name for himself with his play in an exhibition game. His 18/12 was dominant and it's fair to say he was the big winner for the Jazz.
- Rudy Gobert 's twitter account -- D: Awesome tweet, but had to take it down.
- Mark Eaton -- A: Just because of this Instagram picture of him and Dikembe Mutombo.
He spelt Deke's name incorrectly, but that's okay. I can just imagine these two slapping people's plates away at the end of the buffet line at the Legends brunch. I'd give Big Mark a solid A here anyway.
What about the rest of our Jazz-ish guys?
- Paul Millsap -- C+: played only 15 minutes in the All-Star game, and finished with a line of 5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and went 2/6 overall, and 1/3 from deep. His Shooting Stars team came in last place. Not a great weekend for Sap, but he did have this kinda cool pic with Jazz-ish Dominique Wilkins.
- Kyle Korver -- A: Kyle had a much better showing in the game, finishing with 21 points (7 for 12 threes), 1 rebound, and 2 assists in 15 minutes of burn. In the three point contest he scored only 18, and did not advance past the first round.
- Wesley Matthews -- C: Wes was also in the three point contest, and hit 22 in the first round. But he didn't win it, because, you know. Stephen Curry.
- In the D-League All-Star Game, Jerrelle Benimon started and finished an astounding -24 in +/-. His 2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal did not go in vain. Another dude got a DNP-CD in this game from his own team. Ouch. I give Jerrelle a D.
I may have forgotten some people here (Dell Curry? Meh. Give him a C, for Curry), and if I did please inform me so I can update this article with more accurate and complete information. I would hate to think my work is absolute and beyond that of simple criticism.