Celebrity Sightings, Charity, And NBA All-Star Day One

CHICAGO, Illinois – The NBA’s All-Star weekend is underway and the city of Chicago is just starting to heat up. Figuratively that is, as the Windy City has been plagued by single-digit to sub-zero temperatures throughout day one. However, the All-Star festivities are well underway with day one featuring the NBA Cares initiative.

Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert took part in separate charitable events across the city. Mitchell made an appearance at the Greater Chicago Food Depository helping to load shipments of food out of the city, while Gobert worked through different basketball skills with elementary school children from across the state.

Mitchell was due to make an appearance at an Adidas event, but a pipe burst in the building prevented the first-time All-Star from meeting with fans.

You can read more about the events for Gobert and Mitchell here.

For @UtahJazz All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, a chance to give back to the community hits close to home. #NBAAllStar #TakeNote https://t.co/m5N1lc02q1

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 14, 2020

Jazz Notes Podcast

Ben Anderson of KSL Sports and Sarah Todd from the Deseret News sat down to discuss day one at All-Star weekend, including a few bizarre celebrity sightings and the Jazz four-game winning streak heading into the break.

The pair brokedown Mitchell’s recent struggles on the floor and the value of a productive final game before the All-Star break. Mitchell scored 26 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out four assists in a win over the Miami Heat.

Anderson and Todd also shared a story about talking to guard Jordan Clarkson after the Jazz victory over the Heat, and the dynamics of a player talking to the media in a full locker room versus speaking in a small group setting.

You can watch the entire podcast here, or listen to the audio below.

NBA Rising Stars Challenge

While no Jazz player was featured in the Rising Stars Challenge, Mitchell played the role of color commentator alongside Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

The two shared their opinions of the young players featured in the World Team and USA Team rosters, and their thoughts on the NBA as a whole.

Donovan: "Ja's got too much bounce for himself…. he just jumps too high"

You ain't lyin' Donny. @kslsports pic.twitter.com/Y0pFYtFkTW

— Hemā Heimuli Jr. (@x_hems) February 15, 2020

The Jazz were part of one of the more controversial finishes during the first half the NBA season. Game officials missed a Rudy Gobert goaltending violation against Damian Lillard that would have tied the game with under 10 seconds left in regulation. Mitchell suggested the league expand replay to include the ability to review plays like the one between Lillard and Gobert, despite the missed call favoring the Jazz.

Donovan Mitchell on the @NBAAllStar Rising Stars Challange says he’d like to see the NBA expand replay.

Notes the @utahjazz controversial win over the Portland Trailblazers on a blown goaltending call as one example where the league could improve. #TakeNote #NBAAllStar

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 15, 2020

You can follow all of the latest travels from the KSL Sports team at All-Star Weekend in Chicago on social media.

Follow KSL Sports on Twitter here: KSL Sports Twitter

Follow KSL Sports on Instagram here: KSL Sports Instagram

Follow KSL Sports on Facebook here: KSL Sports Facebook