| Show Preseason opener gives new Jazz players first experience on the court Nick Hicken Contributing Writer New Jazz faces were introduced for the franchises franchise's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers Monday Oct 10 lOin in Fresno Calif For Jazz rookies Ronnie Brewer Paul Millsap Dee Brown Brian Chase and Roger Powell this was not only their first exhibition game with the Jazz it was also their first competitive game in the Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant who is still recovering from knee surgery did not attend the game However the highflier's absence didn't slow down the games game's excitement Utah's first round pick from the 2005 draft Deron Williams ams sparked the play of the new-look new Jazz Williams finished for 7 from the field including for 2 3 from behind the arc The versatile point guard also had 5 rebounds and 5 assists Williams looked very comfortable and confident in the first game of his sophomore year pushed the ball well and kept the offense flowing Jazzman Andrei Kirilenko made a only brief showing in the game but was impressive in the few minutes he played Kirilenko didn't have any vintage shot blocks but drove to the hoop with ease and passed well The most impressive performance from the Jazz came from power forward Carlos Boozer The Duke product finished the night with a solid double double-double posting 18 points and 12 rebounds The best news on the plagued injury-plagued Boozer is he showed no signs of lingering tenderness in last years year's ailing hamstrings Many Jazz fans are most excited about the three new and promising players the Jazz picked up by this year Derek Derck Fisher Ronnie Brewer and Paul Millsap will bring versatility and talent to almost all of the areas the Jazz arc lacking in m. m Derek Fisher playing against his former team for the first time in a Jazz uniform showed he will be bea a lock in either of the guard positions head coach Jerry Sloan plays him Fishers Fisher's composure and potent experience in the league look to be valuable assets a young Utah team in the coming coining season The Jazz have been waiting for a player like Fisher to bring leadership to the team and play solid at both ends of the floor Throughout his career Fisher has proved to tobe tobe tobe be the player that when he shoots the shot is expected to go in Ronnie Brewer a rookie product out of Arkansas is the athletic versatile guard small-forward small the Jazz have lacked for years Brewers' Brewers athletic and skillful playing will be very beneficial and exciting components to the new powered high-powered offense poised for the coming season The son of former player and college star Ron Brewer Sr Brewer Jr has blossomed to a smart assertive player via his fathers father's instruction Coach Sloan has complimented Brewers Brewer's basketball IQ as aswell aswell aswell well as ability to quickly pick up the offense while balancing three floor positions on multiple occasions occasions Against the Lakers Sloan played Brewer at two-guard two small forward and point Rookie Paul Millsap the reigning rebound champion impressed in inthe inthe inthe the contest with 5 rebounds including 3 offensive 4 points and a steal in just dust 13 minutes of playing time Millsap is a likely crowd favorite and for good reason The Louisiana-bred Louisiana bailer is one of the most aggressive and determined d athletes out there I have never seen someone who has a skill for rebounding like Paul Millsap Utah Vice- Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin OConner said to In addition to Millsaps Millsap's outstanding rebounding the forward has also shown to tobe tobe tobe be a good shot blocker and defensive stopper and loo looks s sto to play both the three and four spots Sap is willing willingto to do the dirty work and a player fans can count on to togo to togo togo go in and get th the job done Despite the excitement of the coming season Utah dropped the contest 94 With a full frill roster carrying 18 players 15 of whom played against the Lakers Coach Sloans Sloan's biggest concern appears to b be giving players a look in the preseason and pairing down downa a solid starting lineup Utah faces the Indiana Pacers Saturday Oct 14 The Jazz's first home game will be Oct 19 against the Portland Trailblazers |
