Speedy Chase hoping Jazz are answer to his NBA dreams

When you're still chasing the dream three years out of college, it feels as if the world moves in slow motion.

For Brian Chase, however, speed bumps are mere nuisances on the path to proving a point.

Chase's is this:

Even at a generously listed 5-foot-9, there is an NBA need — more precisely, a need in Utah — for a point guard with assets and a resume like his.

"I know I can shoot the basketball," said Chase, who is battling 2006 second-round draft choice Dee Brown for the Jazz's No. 3 point guard job, "but at the same time I want to show them I can run the basketball team, get us in our offense and put pressure on the basketball.

"At my size," he added, "I have to use my speed and quickness to my advantage ... I know I'm fast and I'm quick, but I try to play as under-control as possible."

Chase, make no mistake, can shoot.

He finished in 2003 as Virginia Tech's all-time leader in 3-point accuracy at 40.9 percent, and twice led the Big East Conference in trey-try shooting percentage.

As for speed, let's leave it at this:

After displaying it publicly both while playing for Utah's Rocky Mountain Revue summer-league team in July and again in an open-to-the-public scrimmage during Utah's training camp last week at Boise State University, it's evident Chase has more than most in the NBA.

What he lacks, however, is height.

Perhaps that helps explain why since leaving Virginia Tech, the Washington, D.C., native has toiled for the ABA's Maryland Nighthawks, the CBA's Gary (Ind.) Steelheads, the NBADL's Roanoke (Va.) Dazzle and the USBL's Nebraska Cranes.

With a minor-league background like that, it's no wonder the alphabet soup for Chase's soul this season would be "just to try to prove to this organization that I can play on this level."

Doing so, however, would mean having to beat out Brown — on whom the Jazz used one of their two second-round selections in last June's draft, and an ex-teammate of starting point Deron Williams at the University of Illinois.

And while it's not necessarily written in stone that ties usually go to the pick over an undrafted free agent, Chase seems to sense he must establish a clear advantage over Brown if he is not to be destined for (choose your minor-league letters) in (choose your minor-league locale) to play for the (choose your goofy minor-league nickname).

"Without a doubt," Chase said. "Dee was drafted; I came in this summer without a name from anywhere.

"I feel like I really do have something to prove, and every day I step on the floor I'm taking the approach that the odds are against me."

So far, Jazz coaches and front-office brass have taken notice — and seem to be in no hurry to declare a winner in what's emerged as camp's best battle.