Although it may be his first time experiencing and participating in NBA All-Star Weekend, Walker Kessler already has a bone to pick with the officials.
“I got a goaltend. ... Who calls a goaltend in an All-Star Game?” Kessler asked incredulously and sarcastically postgame.
When asked why he didn’t signal for coach Deron Williams to challenge the call, especially when the home crowd was lobbying for it as if it were the final minutes of a playoff game.
“Man, I wanted to,” Kessler said with a laugh. “I kept saying we should challenge that. … I didn’t think it was a goaltend. If they reversed the call, the stadium would have went crazy.”
While the game had several moments of intensity, Kessler shined on the big stage. Although his team would get bounced in the opening game — falling 40-25 to eventual winners Team Pau (Gasol) — he finished with two points, two blocks, one rebound, and one assist, more than holding his own against the best rookie and sophomores in the league.
Despite cracking jokes postgame, clearly taking in and savoring the moment, Kessler had a moment of sincerity when asked about representing the Jazz in their hometown this weekend. He admitted that he got choked up when those in attendance gave him a loud and thunderous ovation when his name was introduced.
“I’m getting a little choked up, it’s cool to hear your name called and the Salt Lake City crowd cheer,” Kessler said. “I couldn’t ask for a better fanbase. … super, super thankful it’s here. Funny how something works like that. Hearing your name called and a whole crowd of people cheering for you."
“It’s important for us to keep perspective,” he added. “That’s really cool, and (it’s important) to be really thankful for that and to understand that we have a big stage and a platform and with a lot of responsibility.”
The good news for Jazz fans is that Kessler’s weekend isn’t over — not by a long shot.
He’s scheduled to compete tomorrow night in the Skills Challenge, representing team Utah alongside Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton, two people Kessler knows will be gunning for the victory.
“You know, Collin and JC, they’re going to want to compete,” Kessler said. “I think we got a real shot at winning it. … We’re teammates, we already have chemistry.”
While he’s right about the chemistry the three of them already possess, they won’t be the only team with chemistry on their side. Also taking part in the skills challenge is Team Antetokounmpo (brothers Giannis, Thanasis, and Alex) and Team Rookie (Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith Jr.).
Kessler is focusing on enjoying the weekend, hoping Saturday night turns out better than Friday. He’s got his family and friends in town, meaning the party goes all weekend — even if the most competitive parts are at his home.
“My family is extremely competitive,” he said. “They’ll be like, ‘Hey, congratulations. … Now come get this work in ping-pong.’ But no, they don’t actually give me work in ping pong. … That’s my ping pong table for a reason.”