Darrell Griffith had heard that the Jazz wanted to fly him out for last Saturday’s All-Star events. He wasn’t quite sure why.
He knew that Donovan Mitchell, his fellow Louisville product and dunking protege, was taking part. But he really couldn’t find space in his schedule to fly across the country. He had to pass.
Griffith, a 10-year Jazzman whose jersey hangs in the Vivint Smart Home Arena rafters, did eventually fly out — but to Salt Lake City, where he was on hand to recognize Mitchell for winning the dunk contest last weekend. It’s something the 1981 NBA Rookie of the Year knows a little bit about himself: He participated in two dunk contests himself, and his caricature “Dr.