Weekly Run: The Salt Lake Tribune's Utah Jazz Podcast

From Oklahoma City, we break down all the basketball from the Jazz's Game 2 win (and some from the local Oklahoma gym run) with special guest Andy Larsen from KSL.com. — Donovan Mitchell becoming a playoff closer — Derrick Favors playing like a beast — How officiating will influence the series — If Russell Westbrook has fallen into a trap — What it was like to visit Oklahoma City — Tony's deep relationship with his XBox

The Jazz will open the playoffs on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Can Utah slow down Russell Westbrook? Can Donovan Mitchell get around Paul George? Does OKC have a club like the Moose Lounge? These are the important questions we ask ourselves every day.

— On Jazz legend Shaka Browne — Why is Ricky Rubio thriving in Utah? — Who do the Jazz want in the first round? — Derrick Favors vs. Jae Crowder in crunch time — Thabo Sefolosha's drug suspension — Trey Lyles and 3-hour practices

On this week's episode: — A tough loss to Boston — Are the Jazz playoff-ready? — That one Gordon Hayward column — Donovan versus Ben versus Internet insanity — Dante Exum's role and free agency value

Jazz point guard Dante Exum recently returned from a major shoulder injury and got back on the court. He talks to us about what happened when he got injured, his recovery process, training with Baron Davis, playing summer pick up with high-profile NBA stars, being an unknown going into the draft, what it's like to be bullied by Joe Ingles and so, so much more. We squeeze a lot into this short one.

Danté Exum is ready to make his return to the court. What can we expect from the point guard during the stretch run? Plus we look at the Ricky-Rudy connection, why Tony believes Gobert is the best center in the NBA, and which Western Conference teams will just miss out on the postseason.

The Jazz have fought their way back into the playoff picture. FiveThirtyEight gives them a 79 percent chance of making the postseason — and our Tony Jones thinks that number is low.

Derrick Favors of the Utah Jazz joins Kyle and Tony to talk about his career in the NBA, being a one-and-done at Georgia Tech, being a subject of trade rumors, dealing with injuries and then goes in deep on his favorite rappers.

With special guest Andy Larsen (of KSL.com), we recap a star-studded All-Star Weekend in which Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell played a huge role. We also look at the upcoming schedule of the Jazz, which looks plenty soft for the run to the playoffs in a very crowded West.

The Utah Jazz have won 10 straight games. Ricky Rubio is playing like an All-Star, Royce O'Neale is one of the most important players on the team and Joe Ingles may never miss a shot again. How did this happen? We discuss that, plus what the Jazz have to do during the All-Star Break to make the playoffs, and talking about our favorite Dunk Contest entries.

With special guest Kareem Copeland from the Associated Press, Kyle and Tony break down a crazy trade deadline day that saw the Jazz swap out one of their best scorers for a gritty defending wing. We also talk about why Derrick Favors and Alec Burks stayed put, the end of the Joe Johnson era, and react to the Cavaliers completely changing their roster.

— Give Rubio and Gobert credit for Utah's three-game winning streak, including the Jazz's 30-point beatdown of Golden State — Instant reaction to the Mirotic trade — Can Utah really bring the All-Star game back to Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake Tribune reporters discuss Donovan Mitchell's dunk contest snub, Joe Ingles' complaints about media reports, and a new trade rumor or two.

No matter where the Jazz play, Donovan Mitchell has people talking. On this week's episode, Salt Lake Tribune reporters discuss the rookie's rise, a frustrated Jazz locker room, Thabo Sefolosha's injury and Dante Exum's return to practice.

With the trade deadline a month away, the rumor mill is starting to heat up. We discuss the latest in the Nikola Mirotic talks, and break down the pros and cons of bringing him to Utah.

Is it time for Donovan Mitchell to be the Jazz's starting point guard? We break down the pros and cons in this week's episode.

Happy holidays! On this week's podcast: — Gregg Popovich gives Kyle Goon an early Christmas present — Rodney Hood and Jazz fourth-quarter scorers — Chris Paul's role in Donovan Mitchell's path to Utah — A look around the NBA, including thoughts on Kobe's jersey retirement and NBA superstar Michael Beasley

Rudy Gobert hasn't looked quite like his old self since returning from injury. Does Donovan Mitchell have a real Rookie of the Year chance? Associated Press reporter Kareem Copeland joins the podcast to talk Jazz basketball, sneakers, and his love for Trey Burke.

Donovan Mitchell is taking names and earning respect around the NBA

The Jazz are finding their groove and have won four of their last five games. Derrick Favors is out to prove he's back after a down year. But what will happen once Rudy Gobert is healthy enough to return to the lineup?