Utah Jazz could be bound for Europe next preseason
The team, general manager Kevin O'Connor said Thursday, is under consideration to play two 2009 preseason games overseas.
"We've been contacted by the league about going to Europe," O'Connor said.
The Jazz are making preliminary plans to travel, though nothing is set in stone quite yet.
"Further discussions have gone on," the Jazz GM added. "But we've been given nothing in writing, or told definitely whether we're absolutely, positively, for sure going."
The club expects to play one game in each of two countries, with a few days in between that are designated for practice and public-relations activities.
The trip would be part of the NBA's annual Europe Live tour.
Possible locales come from a pool of countries including Germany, England, France, Spain and Turkey. City possibilities include Berlin, London, Paris and Madrid, though specifics remain uncertain.
"We've been given no destinations," O'Connor said.
The Jazz had been scheduled to play preseason games in Moscow in 2004, but that trip was canceled at the eleventh hour due to terrorist activity in Russia.
MILES UPDATE: C.J. Miles, the Jazz's starting small forward, had minimal swelling in his moderately sprained right ankle Thursday.
Miles sprained the ankle in Wednesday's win over New Orleans, and was re-evaluated Thursday.
He's being called "doubtful" by the team for Saturday's home game against Detroit, and is scheduled for additional re-evaluation before Monday's home game against Indiana.
Miles is the only Jazz player to appear in all 36 games this season, and he's started each, averaging 22.9 minutes per game.
ALMOND ALTERNATIVE: The Jazz didn't pick up Morris Almond's contract option for next season, and he's been healthy/inactive for the last three games.
But if Miles doesn't go against the Pistons, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan isn't averse to giving some of Miles' minutes to shooting-guard Almond.
"He's played pretty hard in practice, and deserves a chance to play," Sloan said.
"We're really overloaded some at that position," he added.
"I'll play Andrei (Kirilenko, the Jazz's sixth man) some at 2 and 3, and that takes away some minutes. But I wouldn't be afraid to put Morris out there."
Recent comments
It is very simple actually.
1. Deron has been injured most of the...
re: D-Will | Jan. 9, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.
BOOOOOO is out of his mind. Almond spells antacid. We know where...
Re RE BoOoO | Jan. 9, 2009 at 11:56 a.m.
Agreed,
Magnus, Miles, Dean, Kevin you guys need to put asside your...
Re: unite the clans | Jan. 9, 2009 at 11:36 a.m.
- Man killed in Utah County crash 1:34 p.m.
- Drug company settles Utah suit 1:33 p.m.
- NBA game experience Online 1:31 p.m.
- Audit: S.L. County 911 'inefficient' 1:02 p.m.
- Chamber has state budge answers 12:57 p.m.
- Paisley focused on duties, not CMAs 12:54 p.m.
- Brown pelicans off endangered list 12:52 p.m.
- Death penalty rare in military 12:50 p.m.
- Veterans Day in Afghanistan 12:49 p.m.
- Stocks edge higher as dollar slides 12:45 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- House passes health care bill
269 - TCU showdown has big implications
189 - Lobo suspended
185 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
150 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
108 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
106
Utah kicker Joe Phillips is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza...
BYU sent out a press release last night announcing women's golf coach...
Any action by the L.D.S. church is sure to inspire debate. By endorsing any...
It won't matter..Even with Dwill the Jazz were going to get beat. They have...
I've heard similar rants calling for civil disruptions from the right.
I remembered meeting Jared at a film festival in Provo where Peluca was still...
Congrats Aleesha and Karlee! Way to represent Rush! You girls deserve it...
Robert Johnson Stop insulting the Black Civil Rights fight with your own...
I think it is time to ignore the childish comments like yours. who gets to...
Go Tigers!!! I'm not even worried about you guys going into this game!!! LOVE...
Unaffordable! | 10:57 p.m. I tend to agree with you. Despite what the...
These efforts demonstrate good stewardship. As the birds go, so go we.


