Fisher finds facing Lakers fun

FRESNO, Calif. — There was a time that facing the Los Angeles Lakers was a really big deal to Derek Fisher.

Not so much anymore, though.

"In terms of the emotions of it, and just it being a difficult thing to do, I got over that the first couple times," said Fisher, the recently acquired Jazz guard who spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Lakers — including three straight title runs from 2000-2002 — before playing the past two years for Golden State. "Now it's just a fun game to play in."

Fisher's folly this time came in the form of the Jazz's preseason opener, an exhibition against the Lakers played Tuesday night at the Save Mart Center on the campus of Fresno State University.

He came off the bench — much to the surprise of some from L.A. — and spelled Deron Williams at point guard, all part of the process of learning a new system for the 10-year veteran.

The Jazz's offensive, Fisher suggested, is no more complex — or less, for that matter — than the Lakers' famed triangle.

"They're very similar in that once you get basics, going from there is just playing basketball and working together as a five-man unit," Fisher said. "There a lot of similarities in the two systems. I couldn't say one is easier or more difficult. I'd have to call them equal right now — but it's still early."

MONEY MATTERS: According to DraftExpress.com, Jazz rookie Paul Millsap will make $650,000 this season.

That figure is significantly above the minimum annual salary scale of $412,718 for a rookie not drafted in the first round. It reportedly makes Millsap the second-highest-paid second-rounder from the 2006 draft class — despite the fact he was the 17th second-rounder taken — behind Atlanta's Solomon Jones.

Millsap's contract, as previously reported, is fully guaranteed for two years with the Jazz holding a team option for a third guaranteed season.

Part of the reason for Millsap's pay this year is that the Jazz were able to get the third-season option at a salary they're banking is less than what his market value will be in 2008-09.

The contract, it's been learned, also is front-loaded. It reverts to minimum-scale pay in its second and potential third years, meaning Millsap will make $687,456 in 2007-08 and — if his option is picked up — $797,581 in 2008-09.

DraftExpress.com also reported that undrafted forward Roger Powell Jr.'s contract, known to be partially guaranteed, includes a previously unreported $125,000 in guaranteed salary for the coming season.