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All-Star Weekend has officially kicked off in Utah. For most of the NBA’s players and coaches, this week means a break from everything, but for Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy, there’s a bit of responsibility to be a part of the welcome party and to support his players that are a part of the official All-Star festivities.
“I’m going to support our guys for sure,” Hardy said. “This is an opportunity for us to host the NBA in Salt Lake and so my wife and I will be around and we’ll go to some of the events over the course of the weekend. We’re also looking forward to getting a little bit of time to unplug and unwind some after. So it’ll be a combination, but we’ll definitely be around Salt Lake.”
With Lauri Markkanen representing the Jazz in the All-Star Game as well the 3-point Contest, Walker Kessler representing the team in the Rising Stars tournament and the trio of Jordan Clarkson, Kessler and Collin Sexton set to play for Team Utah in the Skills Challenge, Hardy will have plenty to do and plenty to root for throughout the weekend.
Some of the other Jazz players will be at the events to cheer on their teammates while some of the players are using the opportunity to get away for a mini-vacation.
New Jazzman Juan Toscano-Anderson is heading to Cabo for the weekend and rookie Ochai Agbaji is heading home to Milwaukee to see his family.
Meanwhile, Markkanen is bringing the vacation to him with his parents, brothers and friends all flying to Salt Lake from Finland in order to celebrate his first All-Star appearance.
“It’s something that we’re very proud of,” Hardy said of hosting the All-Star events. “We’re excited to welcome the NBA, collectively, to Salt Lake for the All-Star Game. It’s gonna be a really fun weekend. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of All-Star Weekend before and it’s just such a cool event because you have people from all over the NBA gathered in one spot for a weekend. When everybody is not really competing with each other, it’s a good opportunity to spend time with people and connect a little bit.”
New with the Jazz
This week on ‘Unsalvageable’
Check out “Unsalvageable,” hosted by Deseret News Utah Jazz beat reporter Sarah Todd and lifelong Jazz fan Greg Foster (no, not that Greg Foster).
This week the crew comes to you with two episodes breaking down the three-team deal between the Jazz, Lakers and Timberwolves. First up, Jabari Davis joins Greg and Sarah to talk about the trade from the Lakers perspective and next the crew is joined by Minneapolis Star Tribune Wolves beat reporter Chris Hine to talk about it all from a Minnesota perspective.
New episodes come out every week. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and anywhere else you stream podcasts.
Stat of the week
Ahead of the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, the NBA put together a stat sheet for every All-Star that is a lot of fun to look through. You can see it by clicking here.
From the archives
Extra points
- Vivint transforms for All-Star Weekend (Deseret News)
- Catching up with the Jazz’s grand matriarch, Gail Miller (Deseret News)
- Walker Kessler soaking up the All-Star spotlight (Deseret News)
- Walker Kessler taking a page out of All-Star Lauri Markkanen’s book (Deseret News)
Around the league
Giannis Antetokounmpo sprains wrist, All-Star status unknown.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are discussing a buyout with Kevin Love.
Celtics give coach Joe Mazzulla an extension and remove ‘interim’ from title.
Up next
Feb. 17-19 | NBA All-Star Weekend | Click HERE for a full schedule
Feb. 23 | 7 p.m. | Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | AT&T SportsNet
