Coach has high praise for cancer institute

While Utah and Golden State fans may act like tonight's Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series is a matter of life and death, Warriors coach Don Nelson knows it's not nearly as important as one of his previous visits to Salt Lake City.

Nelson missed 21 games as the coach of the Dallas Mavericks during the 2000-01 season while having and recovering from prostate cancer surgery. Nelson, a longtime friend of both former Ute coach Rick Majerus and Jon Huntsman Sr., chose to have the surgery at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake.

"I left my cancer behind here (in Salt Lake)," said Nelson on Tuesday. "I've got a lot of good things to say about the Huntsman Cancer Institute. They operated on me and took great care of me."

Now, more than six cancer-free years later, Nelson remains a supporter of the Institute.

"I make it a point to come back every year to try to help them raise money for the Institute," said Nelson. "It's one of the best organizations in the world for curing cancer and I believe in them. I love them. Every dollar that they make goes toward cancer research and I'm proud to help them."

TO RUN OR NOT TO RUN: The Jazz, particularly in the first half on Monday night, played at Golden State's preferred up-tempo pace rather than the half-court game seen in the Houston series.

For his part, Nelson says the Warriors will be ready for either Jazz style.

Said Nellie: "I have enough trouble coaching my own team; that's up to (Jazz coach Jerry) Sloan. If he wants to run, we're fine with that. If he wants to play halfcourt, we're fine with that."

Some of the Warrior players had a different feeling, however.

"We hope they don't run with us," said Warriors forward Al Harrington. "We'd rather them come down and set up so that we can set up our defense. But if it does become an up-and-down race I think we have enough talent that we can prevail."

Added Warriors forward Matt Barnes: "If they want to run with us, we'll be ready. That's what we're going to do. We're going to run. If they want to run, then they are in for a track meet."

PRAISING DEE: With Jazz guard Derek Fisher not playing due to family issues on Monday, backup Dee Brown saw his first action of the postseason. Brown, in just less than 13 minutes of playing time, scored six points with three assists.