Walker Kessler's Rising Stars run didn't last long — so he made up some moments along the way

SALT LAKE CITY — The first shot Jazz rookie Walker Kessler took Friday in the Rising Star event was a 3-pointer. He missed.

Team Deron didn't stick around long enough for him to try another one — it lost 40-25 to Team Pau Gasol in the first-to-40-point game that knocked them out of the Rising Stars event — but that didn't stop him from planning a celebration in his head.

Lauri Markkanen was sitting on the front row, and if Kessler had hit another one, he was going to run over and dap his All-Star teammate up in a moment of jubilation that would surely have brought the pro-Kessler home crowd to their feet.

"I promise I would have gone over there," Kessler said with his now trademark chuckle. "But it wasn't in the cards; maybe we can make some in the skills challenge tomorrow."

Heck, he might have even sent a video of the now-fictional shot to head coach Will Hardy — a message that wouldn't have lacked in subtly.

"Now he's going to send me the video of me missing it," Kessler said.

It's a good thing Kessler will get another chance on the All-Star stage Saturday when he joins up with Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton in the Skills Challenge, because he was hardly around long enough to soak the moment in.

The game lasted just 12 minutes, and he only played in seven of those. He finished with 2 points, two blocks, a rebound and an assist in his short-lived experience.

"It was quick, man. We got out of there in five," he said with a laugh. "We didn't get back on defense. I told everyone, 'Coach is going to cuss our tail out back in the locker room.'"

That didn't happen — though, Kessler might have a bone to pick with Deron Williams, the honorary coach of his Rising Stars squad. He joked he was a "little upset" Williams wasn't calling to just feed him in the post every time down the court.

"There was some water bottles thrown on the sideline, not sure you saw that," Kessler laughed.

But there was one play that did actually cause Kessler to actually get a bit heated.

Early on in the contest, he raced from under the standard to challenge Jose Alvarado at the rim, seemingly getting a highlight-worthy block. Except, he was called for goaltending.

"Who calls a goaltending in an All-Star Game?" Kessler said.

Replays showed he probably had a good case that it was a block if the play would have been challenged. (Are there coach's challenges in the Rising Stars challenge? Sorry everyone, that didn't seem worth it enough to find out.)

But like the pretend made three and the fake outrage on the bench, Kessler thought about what would have happened if the play did go to a review. Hey, the game was so short that there's no harm in making up some memories, too.

"That would have been awesome, man, if they reversed it. The stadium would have went crazy about that," Kessler said.

He knew that because it already had.

When Kessler was introduced, his home crowd erupted in applause. That cheer elicited an extremely pure smile from Kessler, and he basked in the applause as he waved to the fans. And that moment was all real.

"It's unbelievable, this community and these fans; they've been unbelievable. I can't ask for a better fan base," he said. "They've helped me so much with my confidence, and being welcoming in the city and the state.

"I think hearing your name called and having a whole crowd of people cheer for you, it's important for us to keep perspective: That's really cool; I'm really thankful for that."

And he's thankful for the chance to come back on Saturday night for another chance at All-Star glory.

"I think we've got a real chance at winning it," he said. Then after a brief pause, concluded with, "then again, I said the same thing about this game."

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