SALT LAKE CITY — Being named an All-Star still hasn’t sunk in for Donovan Mitchell.
Right now, he’s focused on winning games.
“It’s an incredible honor and I’m not going to lie to you, I’m excited that I am one, but at the end of the day, we have games that we really need going into the break and we have a back-to-back coming up after the break, so my mind is really focused on that,” Mitchell said.
Once he gets to Chicago, it should start to sink in and Mitchell can enjoy the All-Star festivities and all that comes with it, but for now, Mitchell and the Jazz are focused on the Miami Heat.
“Just hearing my name called, going on stage. I don’t really know what the game is going to be like playing. For me to just be able to be there is an incredible honor.” — Donovan Mitchell, on the All-Star game
After he plays on Sunday, Mitchell will get his rest and relaxation Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and even Thursday before the Jazz resume the rest of the season against the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 21. Although Mitchell will be relaxing and having fun, he will still be keeping up with his workouts and strength training throughout the break.
“Time relaxing, whether it’s playing video games, doing whatever, I think that allows you to just mentally clear your head,” Mitchell said.
After the break, Mitchell wants to come back and be better.
“How can I be better for my teammates? How can I be better for my coaches and be able to come back and bring that effort,” he said.
Mitchell isn’t looking forward to the cold Chicago weather, but is looking forward to the All-Star Game.
“Just hearing my name called, going on stage. I don’t really know what the game is going to be like playing,” he said. “For me to just be able to be there is an incredible honor.”
Rudy Gobert will join Mitchell on Team Giannis Sunday night in Chicago.
Gobert is excited to spend time with family members who will be arriving from France, and friends during the weekend’s festivities. Gobert’s brother, sister, mom, niece and close family will be on hand for the game. After the game, he will go get some time alone “somewhere sunny.”
“I’ve lost my tan,” Gobert said.
Gobert will be fulfilling a childhood dream when he checks into the All-Star Game.
“It’s something that you dream about as a kid. It’s one of those little goals that you want to accomplish when you become an NBA player,” Gobert said.
“It’s something that you dream about as a kid. It’s one of those little goals that you want to accomplish when you become an NBA player.” — Rudy Gobert, on the All-Star game
Gobert is appreciative of his teammates’ contributions to his personal success.
“None of this is possible without the team,” Gobert said.
Gobert wants to go into the All-Star break on a high note.
“I don’t think I would appreciate as much if we lose tonight,” Gobert said.
While the All-Star nods are nice, the Jazz’s All-Star duo is focused on the bigger goals at hand.
“The goal is to keep getting better and better and be ready to make the deepest run possible in the playoffs,” Gobert said.
“It’s bigger than just one All-Star. We’ve got to be able to make it past the second round. We haven’t been able to do that. We’ve got to be ready and stay locked in. We don’t want to wait until the final week for the third consecutive year to figure out who we’re going to play and how it’s going to be, so we’ve got to take advantage of every opportunity we can,” Mitchell said.