Rudy and Donovan All Star game and implications

[Archie Moses]

So Locke quickly answered the All Star question in his podcast today. He said he actually doesn’t think any of our guys make the team.

Rudy’s competition is AD,Jokic, and Towns. Donovan’s competition is a long list but I do think he is more likely to make it than Rudy tbh. Jokic isn’t really engaged but AD and Towns are playing very good.

So basically who do you think is more likely to make it? And who do you think is going to be more upset if they don’t?

I think it could be an issue if Rudy doesn’t make it again going forward and tbh I think it’s unlikely he does. With Donovan I can see one more year of him not making it without it bothering him too much. If Donovan makes it and Rudy doesn’t I’m not sure what Rudy’s reaction will be tbh.

Just thought it was interesting that Locke said he doesn’t think anyone makes it and that he does think it will
be an issue.

The only saving grace would be a hell of a run in the playoffs. If they lose in the first or second round and no All Star appearances, it will definitely be a factor.

The all star games is cool and the players like it, but the respect from making the all star team weighs tenfold.

 

[checkbookdoc]

All summer I said Jazz are more likely to get 0 all stars than 2, but I think we are understating Rudy's odds. If Jazz are a top 4 seed, have a top 3 defense, and Rudy is averaging at least 15 ppg then IMO it becomes a coin flip.
As I see it, there will be 2 Centers on the all-star team. Let's look at head to head matchups:
Rudy vs Jokic: Jokic had the edge because of the momentum from last year, but he has not looked good so far and there is a building negative narrative around him and his weight. I give Rudy a 20% chance of beating Jokic for a spot.
Rudy vs Towns: With similar health and team record, Towns would get in over Rudy. However, Jazz record should be much better and there is a chance the Wolves just fall off a cliff. I give Rudy about a 25% chance of getting in over Towns.
Rudy vs Aldridge: This one is hard to judge because lots of times Aldridge is considered a forward and not a center, but I also think Jazz will have a better record than Spurs. So overall I think Rudy has a 65% chance of getting in over Aldridge (with my above assumptions).

 

[checkbookdoc]

I think All-NBA teams are a better measure of who the best players are and will be more important for HOF considerations, but All-star team is more prestigious.

 

[JazzyFresh]

I think Donovan's brand and growing popularity get him in if he continues to get 24-25+ ppg.

 

[LogGrad98]

The only saving grace would be a hell of a run in the playoffs. If they lose in the first or second round and no All Star appearances, it will definitely be a factor.

The all star games is cool and the players like it, but the respect from making the all star team weighs tenfold.

A lot of them have bonus money tied into it as well. It's more than just prestige and ego.

 

[Archie Moses]

A lot of them have bonus money tied into it as well. It's more than just prestige and ego.

It is an ego thing too, for sure. Unfortunately, all star appearances weigh on player's careers too e.g HoF and how successful an NBA career is measured.

A good example of this would be Andre Miller. He was never an all star and had an awesome career and playing streak. When he tired, he was in the top 10 of all time assists and not many people know who he is (especially younger people.)

 

[framer]

Yeah, unless the Jazz completely fall off a cliff, Rudy is getting an all-star bid. The coaches pick and Rudy will get his "lifetime achievement" nod at the very least. Donovan will likely have to compete with Westbrook for his, but Houston looks like they will take time to put things together so I doubt they get two all-stars this year (their schedule has been soft and that defense isn't getting fixed soon.) There will also be injuries to create extra slots, but the crater left by the wreckage of Golden State leaves opportunities.

 

[SoUjazzfan]

I doubt Rudy will ever win the popular vote but sooner or later the coaches have to put him in. That is if he continues to play as well as he has been. Donovan, on the other hand, is already becoming one of the faces of nba advertising. His personality and marketability will get him there but perhaps not until next year once some of the other popular guards begin to show their age

 

[Gobzilla]

The way Donovan has been playing, he'll get in. Rudy on the other hand, won't, because he is a defensive player. All Star game is all about offense unfortunately.

 

[campaignist]

The smart bet is Mitchell gets in and Rudy is a tossup. He has to fight against Towns, AD, and Jokic, as has been pointed out. Jokic playing poorly helps his odds. As others have pointed out, a lot will depend on the record we have. I think most coaches want to see them both in. I'm biased but I think he gets in.

For Mitch, there are probably 5 spots up for grabs. Klay and Curry are out, you assume Harden and Lillard are in. So 3 spots up for grabs. The remaining competition:
Westbrook-he's so up and down that his odds are less than what they were. He'd still have to look worse but odds are he gets in.
Booker-if the Suns keep it up, he's probably in.
D'Angelo has an outside shot, but I think he'll look a lot worse long term in GS's system than he did in the East.
Arguably McCollum but he's never even sniffed a big.
And thats about it. So odds are he gets in.

However, as has been pointed out, the real concern with either or both being snubbed is long term lack of recognition. I used to think that was a big problem, but I realize it's not as big a problem as you'd think. The reason:

Rudy will be up for a supermax. He's not from LA and isn't as marketable as a bunch of the high profile players that leave small market teams like Durant and AD. So I think the money wins out, unless the team completely collapses and isn't competitive.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I think Mitchell is going to continue to average 26/5/4, and with the Jazz being a top 3 team in the west, I think he makes it this year. The other factor is that Curry and Klay are both out, which opens up a couple spots. Doncic is going to take one of them. The question will be which of Mitchell, Booker and Westbrook make the team. I think at least two of these guys do. One more question would be how much time Paul George misses this season, but he's supposed to play in another week or so.

As for Rudy, I guess it depends on whether Jokic continues to lag. Perception around the league was that he was a fringe MVP candidate last year, but he hasn't been that great to start this season.

The likely All Star starters would be: Lillard, Harden, Kawhi, Lebron, Davis

Then the coaches would likely add: Westbrook, George, Doncic, Towns, Jokic

That leaves two more spots for Mitchell, Gobert and Booker. A sleeper pick might also be Brandon Ingram.

Lamarcus Aldridge had better not make it. He hasn't been a legit All Star for a couple years now, imo.

I don't think D'Angelo Russell makes it in the west.

Zion Williamson would be a popular candidate, but he's going to be out for another month or two.

 

[framer]

I think Mitchell is going to continue to average 26/5/4, and with the Jazz being a top 3 team in the west, I think he makes it this year. The other factor is that Curry and Klay are both out, which opens up a couple spots. Doncic is going to take one of them. The question will be which of Mitchell, Booker and Westbrook make the team. I think at least two of these guys do. One more question would be how much time Paul George misses this season, but he's supposed to play in another week or so.

As for Rudy, I guess it depends on whether Jokic continues to lag. Perception around the league was that he was a fringe MVP candidate last year, but he hasn't been that great to start this season.

The likely All Star starters would be: Lillard, Harden, Kawhi, Lebron, Davis

Then the coaches would likely add: Westbrook, George, Doncic, Towns, Jokic

That leaves two more spots for Mitchell, Gobert and Booker. A sleeper pick might also be Brandon Ingram.

Lamarcus Aldridge had better not make it. He hasn't been a legit All Star for a couple years now, imo.

I don't think D'Angelo Russell makes it in the west.

Zion Williamson would be a popular candidate, but he's going to be out for another month or two.

Eh, I don't see the coaches putting in Westbrook over Donovan if Donovan continues to be the better player as he is this year. I don't see a lot of room for Doncic either. Dallas would need to be top 4 or there would need to be injuries.