"We shoot layups every day, and some I've never seen before that were shot tonight," said Sloan. "It's like (former coach) Frank Layden had a great line: It's not like diving, where you get points for difficulty."

Monday was another of those defining nights, when an also-ran gets the chance to gauge itself against the defending champions. The Jazz didn't play well, but at least they played hard. It's true for awhile they flirted with setting a team mark for dreadful shooting. With 4:15 remaining in the third period they were still making just 26 percent of their shots, which would have been an all-time low. Still, they still trailed by only eight.

But in the final period the Spurs prevailed. Tim Duncan scored a quick six points to help boost a four-point edge to nine. The Jazz's hopes faded when Mehmet Okur's 3-pointer which would have pulled them within four — rimmed out with 2:44 remaining.

Considering the Spurs' imposing lineup with Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Michael Finley, Sloan didn't seem all that upset. For sure he wasn't surprised. After all, it is the Spurs.

Which brings to mind another cliche coaches used say when their team was struggling: "We're only two players short of a great team — Magic Johnson and Larry Bird."

After five losses in the last six gams, the Jazz, might want to add Michael Jordan to that list.

---

E-mail: rock@desnews.com