Jazz not taking Mavericks — and Nowitzki — lightly

SAN ANTONIO — As if facing defending NBA-champion San Antonio on Friday wasn't enough, the Jazz now turn to another of the West Conference powers.

The Dallas Mavericks may be only 12-8 with losses in three of their last four games, but coach Jerry Sloan has the utmost respect for tonight's opponent.

That's largely because of forward Dirk Nowitzki, who is averaging 21.4 points and 8.4 rebounds in 36 minutes per game this season.

At 7 feet, he's a terrifically tough matchup for Utah — often too quick for center Mehmet Okur, too tall for power forward Carlos Boozer and too strong for small forward Andrei Kirilenko.

"He's a very talented guy, and can shoot the ball all over the floor," Sloan said. "And he's so big. You fail to realize how big he really is.

"And you can't put him on the free-throw line," the Jazz coach added, "because he makes every one of his free throws."

The reigning NBA MVP is shooting 96.6 percent (57-of-59) from the line over his last seven games.

SLOAN MIKED: Reiterating comments first made Thursday, Sloan let it be known again Friday that he's less than thrilled at being forced by the NBA to wear a microphone for the Jazz's ESPN-televised game here.

"I guess I'm intimidated by it," Sloan said, adding he's also afraid of snakes.

Sloan suggested wiring coaches may ultimately turn them into "kind of a phony guy."

"You can't say what you want," he said.

The league is mandating this season that all coaches be miked for games televised by its network partners.

A remote-controlled camera also panned the Jazz locker room before Friday's game, at halftime and afterward — intrusive technology Sloan said he "never imagined" he'd see in his lifetime.

DOWN ON THE FARM: The Jazz are permitted to send first- and second-year players to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Utah Flash, up to three times per season.

It's only early December, and already 2007 second-round draft choice Kyrylo Fesenko demoted Thursday along with 2007 first-rounder Morris Almond, who also has been sparingly used so far in his NBA career — has gone down twice.

That's because the Jazz would much rather have Fesenko log minutes in the minors than mostly watch NBA games.