Fisher gives Jazz a different approach

It's not quite a tale of two teams.

But when Derek Fisher is the running the point, the Jazz — make no mistake — are noticeably different than when usual starter Deron Williams is orchestrating the show.

That's no knock on Fisher, who struggled down the stretch of last Tuesday's loss at Portland, then responded by scoring a season-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field in Saturday's win over Boston.

But it's the reality the 37-18 Jazz face as Williams continues to fight a left groin muscle strained while playing earlier this month in the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.

"He pushes (the pace), but not as much," starting power forward Carlos Boozer said of longtime Los Angeles Laker Fisher, who in addition to now being the Jazz's starting shooting guard also is Williams' primary backup at the point. "We really are in (a) halfcourt (offense) more, which is great for us because we're gonna have to execute in the halfcourt come playoff time.

"He (Fisher) doesn't get a lot of fastbreaks all the time like we do with Willie (Williams)," Boozer added, "but the good thing is we get a chance to work on our stuff."

Williams' injury — which along with a sore right wrist has him listed as "probable" for tonight's home game against the Lakers — prevented the NBA's No. 2 assists-per-game leader this season from playing at Portland.

He seemed to be on the mend in Friday's win at Denver.

But the groin — heavily wrapped, limiting Williams' mobility a bit and perhaps contributing to his 1-for-10 shooting from the field on a night he nonetheless managed to dish 10 assists — noticeably proved problematic Saturday against the Celtics.

If Williams indeed is good to start tonight, Fisher's chief task early on will be dealing with Lakers star Kobe Bryant — who merely dropped 52 points on the Jazz when they visited Los Angeles back in late November.

If Williams has a setback and for one reason or another is unable to go, though, Fisher will have to turn on the point-guard mentality even sooner than expected.

That's no easy chore, either — but one Jazz coach Jerry Sloan says is picked up "a lot quicker" by "the guys that are smart."

Retired NBA all-time assists and steals leader did it in the other direction during the Jazz's glory days, when backup Howard Eisley would come in at the point and Stockton would slide over to the 2 spot.