Griffith moved by Mitchell's tribute during the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest

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.

It was only during the dunk contest that Griffith realized what he had missed.

“When I seen Donovan had my jersey on, I said, ‘Now I see why they wanted to fly me out,’” he said Friday night, prior to Utah’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. “But it was awesome. I was home watching it, and to see Donovan in that was a great moment.”

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. Dunkenstein” was pasted on posters across thousands of teenagers’ walls (including a young Quin Snyder).

Of Mitchell’s two tribute dunks his during contest win, the one for Griffith was harder to get together: When Mitchell was first named to the dunk contest, Jazz media relations official Derek Garduno immediately thought of boxes in his basement full of Jazz memorabilia which he had stored away during the arena renovation.

Mitchell coveted a purple jersey with a Jazz note, and Garduno was able to dig out a game-worn Griffith jersey, complete with short-shorts. The Jazz were also able to find 1980s Jazz warmups — Mitchell wore the top during the contest.

Griffith was shocked later to hear that Mitchell had donned his actual game jersey.

“I would’ve loved to wear the shorts these guys wear now,” he said, laughing. “It was of that era. It’s a lot more comfortable now.”

These days, Griffith is still a name that rings out across Utah and Louisville, but not as much in NBA circles. In a way, Griffith feels he was slightly ahead of his time: As an ultra-athletic guard who could shoot 3s, he mused about how successful he would’ve been in the more modern, more spaced-out game.

So tributes like Mitchell’s mean a lot, he said. A flood of old friends called him after the dunk contest, asking how he was doing and if he saw Mitchell compete.

“It was heartwarming — it really was,” Griffith said. “He’s a good kid, man. He comes from a good family, and the Jazz got a prized possession.”

Mitchell also decided to represent the school where he and Griffith were college stars: On Friday night, he wore Dame 4 sneakers customized by Los Angeles artist Kickstradomis to honor Louisville. On the heels, he wrote, “2013 Champs,” then wrote the the last names of the players on the 2013 national championship team around the sides of the shoes.

That title was stripped from Louisville earlier this week by the NCAA, following an investigation of Cardinals players receiving improper benefits. Griffith, who still lives in Louisville, said that Mitchell’s exploits have been a salve for fans dealing with brutal NCAA sanctions.

“We’re all cheering for Donovan, everybody’s in his corner,” Griffith said. “He’s a blessing for us right now.”