"But he's been a pretty active player, a pretty intelligent player," Sloan added."For a rookie."

BEEN THERE: According to the Los Angeles Times, the $25,000 fine Lakers coach Phil Jackson received Wednesday for comments critical of the refereeing in last week's loss to the Jazz "marked the second time Jackson was punished after a game in Utah."

Jackson, the Times reported, also was fined $50,000 in March 2004 for saying ref Bob Delaney was "prejudiced against Shaq (O'Neal)" after the ex-Lakers center was ejected for two hard fouls late in a loss to the Jazz.

MISC.: Even though they have the best record in the NBA, the Jazz currently are scheduled for just one other TNT or ESPN game besides Thursday's TNT-televised meeting with the Lakers. It comes Feb. 23 at Denver, on ESPN ... According to ProExposure.com, power forward Rick Hughes — a former member of the Dallas Mavericks who once went to training camp with the Jazz — has signed with a team in Spain, Leon ... Rafael Araujo and Roger Powell Jr. again were on the Jazz's inactive list.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com