Korver still waiting for clean briefs

SEATTLE — Even when pressed, Kyle Korver really didn't want to discuss how many times he has done laundry since being traded from Philadelphia to Utah in late December.

Suffice it to say it's not been nearly enough.

That in mind, he can't wait to travel to Philly on Thursday.

"I had some friends just kind of go in my closet and grab some stuff and ship it out," the Jazz's newest shooting guard said. "But it's just, like, the little things that you don't want them digging through ... little stuff like that that I haven't had in the last 45 days."

Little, like ... "clean drawers."

If it wasn't for dirty underwear, then, Korver might have accepted an invitation to take part in the NBA's long-distance shooting contest this coming Saturday in New Orleans.

There, he could have joined several teammates — Carlos Boozer (All-Star Game), Deron Williams (skills challenge), Ronnie Brewer and Paul Millsap (rookie-sophomore challenge game) and NBA Development League-assigned rookies Morris Almond and Kyrylo Fesenko (D-League All-Star Game) — taking part in various NBA All-Star Weekend festivities.

Like certain others, he also perhaps could have time to enjoy a quite respite in Mexico or Las Vegas during the league's annual mid-February showcase-game break.

Or Korver could have even stayed in Utah, like center Mehmet Okur plans to do.

"I love cold," Okur said in explaining his less than conventional decision to remain a homebody during the break.

Before anyone gets to enjoy their long-weekend vacation, however, there remains one small task at hand for the Jazz. That would be tonight's game against Seattle, Utah's lone outing in a span — dating back to Saturday's win over Chicago and ahead to Tuesday's date with Golden State — of nine nights.

"It's an important game for us to not have any slip-ups," Williams said. "Hopefully we'll stay focused."

Coach Jerry Sloan's chief fear, naturally, revolves around just that — even with his 33-19 Jazz having won 11-of-12 as they prepare to face the 13-37 Sonics.

"The All-Star Game (break) may be more important than (tonight's) game," Sloan said. "If it is, then we'll have a tough time trying to win."

As for timing of the break, though, it arguably couldn't be better for the Jazz.

Even though "we're playing our best basketball of the season it gives a chance for guys to rest up and refocus," Williams said.

Such an answer was common among those queried prior to practice Tuesday.

"Because of how we're playing we'd like to keep playing, but at the same time, the first (52) games we've had ups and downs. We started out great, we had a really bad lull, then we got extremely hot," Boozer added. "(So) it's good to get a little bit of an emotional break, so you come back and you miss it and you're refreshed and ready to finish the last 29 games of the season hard."

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