Running may not be the answer

NEW YORK — His team has more scorers than defenders.

Power forward Carlos Boozer had a team-high 25 points and center Mehmet Okur added 21, but the Jazz fell Friday night in Boston anyway.

So, Jerry Sloan was asked, why not — just like the Celtics did, just like so many opponents do against his club — just push the pace?

"I guess we could open the game up — but I'm not sure how many layups we'd give up," Sloan said.

In short, Utah's big men are not exactly proficient in the transition game. They may score, but they don't do enough to get back on the other end.

That said, Sloan continues today in New York his quest to get the 10-14 Jazz to do what they have not while going 2-9 over their last 11: Execute the offense as its designed to be run.

The Jazz have been doing not nearly enough of that lately, and Sloan continues to suspect he knows why.

"I think a lot of it has to do with 'me-first' attitude," he said.

Sloan wants to put the brakes on that.

Contrary to popular perception, though, that does not suggest he wants his Jazz to be a plodding team.

Quite the contrary, in fact.

Rather than hesitate and hold the ball to go one-on-one, he wants a team that runs as if it actually knows where it is going.

On both ends.

"I'd love to fly up the floor — if we can stay in an offense," Sloan said. "But to get five guys to try to run — this is the most difficult time we've had trying to execute an offense.

"That's something, to have a chance to succeed, you have to do a little bit."

EYEING EISLEY: According to Saturday's Orlando Sentinel, the Magic "have been looking for another veteran point guard since the season began, trying to pry away one by using (ex-Jazz shooting guard) DeShawn Stevenson as possible trade bait.

"They are hoping to land someone such as Howard Eisley (Utah), Eric Snow (Cleveland), Anthony Carter (Minnesota) or Tony Delk (Atlanta) as a reliable veteran backup for (Steve) Francis."

Suffice it to say the Jazz have no interest in bringing back Stevenson, their first-round draft choice in 2000.