SILENT PROTEST: Jazz superfan Dr. Richard Anderson, who received a written warning card in Game 3 for using an expletive after a call by referee Bob Delaney, showed up for Game 4 with tape over his mouth and the words "No BS calls" written on it. By the second quarter, however, the tape was gone and Anderson was back to his usual enthusiastic support of the Jazz.

COMMON LINK: Utah's Ronnie Price has a unique perspective on the series. The former UVSC star has played for both head coaches. He was a rookie in Sacramento two years ago when Houston's Adelman was coaching the Kings.

"It was a great experience being a rookie and having a coach like Rick Adelman as your first coach," said Price. "I was really fortunate."

Price noted that Adelman and Sloan have a lot in common.

"You just look at their track records — see how many games they've won and see how successful both of their teams have been in the past. That speaks for itself," he said. "Two great coaches who know the game very well, and they share the same passion for the game."

It shows in their teams' performance.

KORVER GEAR: Jazz guard Kyle Korver was surprised to learn that Masha Kirilenko, the wife of teammate Andrei Kirilenko, is selling women's shirts in his honor at her boutique at the Gateway.

The gear, which starts at around $25, is inscribed with "I (heart) Kyle" or "Mrs. Korver."

Korver was made aware of the apparel by a reporter Saturday morning.

"I don't know if I want to talk about this right now," he said.

BIG-TIME BREWER: Second-year Jazzman Ronnie Brewer is enjoying the media spotlight that accompanies the playoffs. He was a guest on Jim Rome's show on ESPN Friday.

"It was really cool," said Brewer, who received a lot of telephone calls from friends back home in Arkansas after his appearance.

Media attention, he estimates, is 10 times greater in the playoffs than during the regular season.

"I think it's fun. It's interesting," said Brewer, who acknowledged it's a measuring stick for his growth as a player — from unheralded rookie to contributing sophomore. "It makes you want to work hard to attract more attention."

NO BUCHER: An ESPN spokesman told the Jazz communications office that the network's decision to change reporter Ric Bucher's scheduled assignment from Salt Lake City to Atlanta Saturday had "nothing to do" with his recent remarks about Mormons and why the Jazz are so successful at EnergySolutions Arena.

Bucher issued an apology shortly after making the following comment last week on ESPN Radio:

"Let's be honest. They're Mormon. And they're in Salt Lake. And there's nothing else there. You've got to smile and be happy all the time," he said. "This might be one opportunity for fans to get vicious."

Heather Cox wound up being the sideline reporter for ESPN's broadcast of Game 4.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com