STUNNING: Folks in New Jersey seem as stunned by ex-Jazz assistant Gordie Chiesa's surprise departure from the Nets' coaching staff as do those in Utah.

Chiesa left the Jazz in the offseason to become Frank's top assistant in Jersey, but he unexpectedly resigned shortly before the season started, leaving behind a two-year, $800,000 deal.

Chiesa cited family reasons for his departure, but it's widely believed by some in New Jersey that he was frustrated by having less of a coaching voice here than he did with the Jazz.

"Gordie knows his basketball," Padgett said, "and I thought he was definitely a good influence to have here, and I wish him nothing but the best."

CLASS ACT: Former Salt Lake City and current CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz hosted lunch Wednesday for two Jazz broadcasters, TV play-by-play man Craig Bolerjack and radio play-by-play man Hot Rod Hundley.

Both Nantz and Bolerjack once worked as analysts for Hundley, and Nantz and Bolerjack are current CBS colleagues who formerly worked for KSL-TV. Nantz not only sent a car for Bolerjack and Hundley but also had them out for lunch at nearby Winged Foot Golf Club, home of the 2006 U.S. Open.

"It was a nice little reunion," Hundley said.

MISC.: Jazz forward Carlos Boozer (strained hamstring) again did not play . . . Jazz inactives, again: C.J. Miles, Robert Whaley . . . In the house: rapper Jay-Z and Master P, sitting on opposite sides of the court. After the game, Master P was seen talking with Jazz rookie Andre Owens.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com