No timetable yet for Boozer's return to Jazz

Done now with training camp in Boise, the Jazz opened preseason practice Monday morning in Salt Lake City — still without absent power forward Carlos Boozer, their leading scorer and top rebounder last season.

Boozer missed all eight sessions in Boise last week so he could remain at home in Miami, where his 1-year-old son, Carmani, is recovering from a bone marrow transplant related to his bout with sickle cell anemia.

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said Monday that he has spoken recently with Boozer, but there still is no publicly announced timetable for his anticipated arrival in Utah.

"He's gonna show up," Sloan said.

"We didn't really get into (timetables)," he added. "I talked to him a little bit about it, but ... when he's here, that's when we'll talk about it."

It seems unlikely Boozer will be available for the Jazz's preseason opener Wednesday night vs. Milwaukee, and Sloan said nothing Monday to suggest Boozer will join the team for weekend exhibition road games Friday at Detroit or Saturday at Milwaukee.

The Jazz conclude a three-game preseason trip Monday night at Phoenix.

"I'll just wait and see when he gets here," Sloan said. "You know, you make plans to do something like that — and it's like, you know, something else comes up, and he has to stay.

"So I think it's better said just, 'When he gets here, we're going to work with him.' I'm sure he's anxious to be here, but those things (family concerns) are more important than basketball."

SLOAN ON GIRICEK: Sloan was asked Monday for his take on the play so far of shooting guard Gordan Giricek, who reported to camp 10 pounds lighter than last season.

"He's played good," Sloan said of Giricek, a veteran from Croatia who hasn't always seen eye-to-eye with the longtime Jazz coach. "He's played OK ... It seems like he's worked pretty hard."

When asked by a reporter if it seems like he and Giricek are more on "the same wavelength," however, Sloan wasn't quite as complimentary.

"I don't know," he said.

"My job," the Jazz coach added, "is to try to coach guys that I think give us the best chance to win."

HE SAID IT: Sloan, when asked about the Jazz's ongoing search for a starting shooting guard: "Shooting guard? We're trying to find a guard that's a 'making guard.' I've heard so much about 'shooting guard.' Anybody can shoot it. We'll just try to get somebody that's gonna make 'em at that position."