It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing, the rain can’t decide whether to turn to snow or not and the waft of tailgaters’ chili and hot dogs permeate the air each weekend.
Football fanatics aside, autumn doesn’t begin for many Utahns until seven-foot men throw on the baby blue jerseys with “JAZZ” across the front.
Indeed, the summer seemed to drag on for those who felt the Book of Jazz closed too soon in May. But on Monday afternoon, the Utah Jazz (Andrei Kirilenko included) returned to camp, laced up the sneakers and posed for photos while making nice with the media.
After a season in which the Jazz surpassed most expectations by scraping and clawing their way into the Western Conference Finals, it’s safe to say that even Kirilenko’s daggers this summer failed to cut through the optimism of this team’s future.
A few footnotes concerning the Jazz’ next chapter:
Andrei Kirilenko says ‘All is Well’ in Salt Lake
In a matter of months, Kirilenko has managed to make national headlines with his breakdown in Houston over lack of playing time, lead the Russians to a Euro title (and a berth in the 2008 Olympics) and alienate hordes of Jazz fans with his recent wishes to leave coach Sloan and Salt Lake City.
The Russian forward showed up during media day with a barrage of “no comments” and maintained that he was happy to be here playing basketball. He even shared a few smiles with Sloan after the two talked privately Monday morning.
“I don’t think it’s going to be an issue once AK steps on the court,” said teammate Ronnie Brewer. “He’s a great player and we can use him. As long as he’s playing hard for us, the other stuff doesn’t matter.”
Hart and Price: D-Will’s happy backups
Two new faces who figure to get some playing time behind point guard Deron Williams — Jason Hart and Ronnie Price — couldn’t be happier logging minutes behind the budding Jazz star.
Hart and Price became buddies during their days in Sacramento coming off the bench for Mike Bibby.
“I was real excited to hear Ronnie was coming here,” said Hart, who calls himself the team’s newest jokester. “We’re gonna have some good times together.”
“It’s great to be back with him,” Price said of Hart. “He’s a fun guy to be around.”
As for competing for minutes behind Williams, the two took a business-like perspective.
“Some people might look at it like (we’re against each other),” Price said. “But it’s a business and we’re both professional guys.”
“There’s always competition — It’s basketball,” Hart added. “What happens on the court is different (than what happens) off of (the court).”
Wanted: shooting guard
Anyone’s guess as to who will start at the shooting guard position is as good as Utah coach Jerry Sloan’s. C.J. Miles, Gordan Giricek, Brewer, and rookie Morris Almond are all possibilities. Miles, who signed a qualifying offer with the Jazz on Monday, said he never had intentions of going elsewhere.
“It never got to that point,” said Miles, who skipped out on this summer’s Rocky Mountain Revue. “I’m ready to play and get back to camp and try to earn back that starting spot. I’ve worked on putting the ball on the floor and being more aggressive in getting to the hole.”
A noticeably more-chiseled Brewer admits he didn’t have much fun in preparing for the upcoming season.
“I’ve been working out a lot and lifting and getting stronger,” he said. “I’m not a big vacation guy.”
Meanwhile, Morris was the third-leading scorer in the NCAA last season at Rice. The rookie hopes to shake off any notions that he’s a one-dimensional player.
“I’ve been labeled as a shooter, but the shooting will take care of itself,” he said. “I just wanna go in and do my part — the stuff that will get me on the floor.”