PONY SHOW: Jazz-assigned Utah Flash rookie Morris Almond made it to the finals of the NBA Development League's H-O-R-S-E shooting contest Friday, but ultimately lost to former Weber State and University of Utah big man Lance Allred of the Idaho Stampede.

Almond and fellow Jazz-assigned Flash teammate Kyrylo Fesenko both play today in the D-League's All-Star Game, as does Allred, ex-Weber State/NBA guard Eddie Gill and former Jazz guard Randy Livingston.

HE SAID IT: Boozer, asked by a reporter from Chinese television which NBA player he would put in a Jazz band: "I'll put Memo Okur in there, because I think he'd have a good time. He could let loose, he could let his mullet grow back out."

MISC.: Williams watched Friday's Rookie-Sophomore game seated next to supposed rival but actual friend Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets. Williams also attended a Paul-hosted party in New Orleans on Thursday night. ... Also in the house Friday: retired Jazz star and Louisiana native Karl Malone, who is tied with Jerry West and Shaquille O'Neal for the most consecutive All-Star Game selections in NBA history. ... Millsap used the occasion of All-Star weekend to launch his new Web site, pmillsap.com.

---

E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com