• Salt Lake City: Light Thunderstorms and Rain 47°
tstorms
Deseret News
Home
  • Login/Register
    • Mobile
    • Mobile Site
    • Text Version
    • Mobile Apps
Powered by YAHOO! SEARCH
  • News
  • Sports
  • Moneywise
  • Opinion
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
    • Cars
    • Jobs
    • Deals
powered by ksl.com
  • Jazz
  • BYU
  • Utes
  • USU
  • RSL
  • Bees
  • High School
  • Rock
  • Harmon
  • More Sports
    • Watch It
    • Scores and Stats
    • On TV
    • NFL
    • MLB
    • WSU
    • Grizzlies
    • UVU
    • SUU
    • Sports Wire
  • Sports Picks
Advertise with usReport this ad

Utah Jazz: With Carlos Boozer gone, Paul Millsap feels no pressure as Utah's main man inside

  • Print
  • Font [+] [-]
  • 13 Comments »

By Tim Buckley, Deseret News

Published: Thursday, Sept. 30 2010 11:00 p.m. MDT

  • View 2 photos »

Jazz forward Paul Millsap, expected to carry a larger load this season in the paint, talks to the media this week at Zions Bank Basketball Center.

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Summary

Deron Williams still rules the roost. But Al Jefferson seems to be the new fan favorite in Utah, even before playing his first game for his latest team. And Gordon Hayward is the fresh-face rookie, rapidly building a following of his own.

More Coverage
  • Fesenko is leaner, meaner and fitter

  • A crash course for Jazz fresh faces

SALT LAKE CITY ?— Deron Williams still rules the roost. But Al Jefferson seems to be the new fan favorite in Utah, even before playing his first game for his latest team. And Gordon Hayward is the fresh-face rookie, rapidly building a following of his own.

There also is the popular old name who is back for a second run in Raja Bell, the youngster who's due to blossom in C.J. Miles and the veteran — trade-talk favorite Andrei Kirilenko — who always seems to be in the news.

Paul Millsap?

He's been toiling quietly, going about his business sans fanfare since the Jazz training camp opened earlier this week. And that's just fine by Millsap, who'd much rather be banging under the boards than boasting about what he's been doing.

"With everything that's going on, that really puts me under the radar," the typically soft-spoken Millsap said. "There's not really any pressure on me."

That's not to suggest, though, that Millsap would ever think about shying from hard work.

In fact, there was a short time last July — after two-time All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer bolted for Chicago via free agency, and before the Jazz traded with Minnesota for Jefferson — when he openly embraced the burden of becoming Utah's main man inside.

Today, even with Jefferson on board, ex-Boozer backup Millsap insists he'd be just fine if there were no one to share the chores.

"I wouldn't have minded," he said Thursday. "I don't mind having that load, taking that pressure, and trying to win with it, do what I can.

"So, I mean, it wasn't really a big deal to me (if someone like Jefferson hadn't been acquired)," Millsap added. "You know, I knew I was gonna have to get out there and play regardless of the situation. That's how my attitude is."

But asking Millsap to do it all — pick up most of the 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game left behind by Boozer, not to mention his own 11.6 points and 6.8 boards from last season — is deemed ludicrous even in the estimation of someone as demanding as Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

"I wouldn't do that to anybody," Sloan said. "As long as I've been here, I don't think I've tried to put pressure on guys (that way).

"Yeah, we have expectations," he added. "But most of them have to be realistic, otherwise you have no way of trying to deal with them at all."

Sloan, then, can appreciate that as much as Millsap may be tempted to take on more than anyone can possibly chew, he's also realistic enough to accept how having Jefferson around can only benefit him and the rest of the Jazz.

All in all, he really does like the approach — familiar as it may be — that Millsap has brought to his fifth NBA camp.

"He's always come in with a good attitude," the Jazz coach said. "He's always worked hard. He worked hard from Day 1.

"That's why he gained a lot of confidence in what he's doing, and he's tried to add to that," Sloan said. "He's worked on his outside shooting, he's trying to work on his passing more. ... That's what players do if they like to succeed. You like to have those players around you."

And Millsap, though he's been prepared to assume Boozer's high-profile role for more than a year now, really does seem to appreciate the notion of fellow-big Jefferson being by his side.

He does so even while knowing how the new addition, someone who has averaged 19.1 points and 10.5 rebounds over the past four seasons in Minnesota and Boston, is bound to trump much of his hard-earned thunder.

"When Memo (starting center Mehmet Okur, who is sidelined while recovering from Achilles tendon surgery) got hurt (last postseason), I felt like there was gonna be a lot of load, lot of burden, down low to try to make things happen," said Millsap, who also knew Boozer in all likelihood was headed out of town following a six-season stay in Utah.

"But with the pickup of (Jefferson), it takes a little bit off," Millsap added. "It takes a lot off me, actually — with him down there, and his scoring ability and his passing ability. We've got a good chemistry down there, so things probably will work out pretty good."

e-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com

Related Stories
  • Fesenko is leaner, meaner and fitter

  • A crash course for Jazz fresh faces

Featured Comments

See all 13 comments »
Jazzman72
Springville, UT

It's Paul's chance to shine. Hopefully he can handle the rigors of being a starter, and hopefully AK will fill in okay as his backup. It will be interesting to see the rotation when Memo comes back.

  • 12:05 a.m. Oct. 1, 2010
  • Top comment
rvalens2
Burley, ID

They haven't played a game yet but for the 1st time (in many years) I am really optimistic about the Jazz.

The player's attitudes and outlook this year are just terrific.

Go Jazz!

  • 12:54 a.m. Oct. 1, 2010
  • Top comment
nothegame
Saratoga Springs, UT

Paul u r the man can't wait for the season to start new team new life no more loser.

  • 8:38 a.m. Oct. 1, 2010
  • Top comment
Comments
Leave a comment »

DeseretNews.com encourages a civil dialogue among its readers. We welcome your thoughtful comments.
— About comments

About the Author
Tim Buckley

Tim Buckley

  • Connect:
Advertise with usReport this ad
What You May Have Missed
  • Wives of LDS Church's First Presidency honored by children (+videos)
  • Disney's 'Brave' makeover sparks fury from fans, director
  • Mitt Romney to live in Utah — at least some of the time
Sample sports edition email
Advertise with usReport this ad
Most Popular
Across Site
In Sports
  • If hired, Jeff Hornacek will face same...
  • The offseason status of NFL players with Utah...
  • USA Rugby: 'What BYU won ... was a mythical...
  • Dick Harmon: BYU coach Mike Littlewood...
  • High school boys track: Davis wins another 5A...
  • Mormon NFL safety Eric Weddle: Balancing...
  • High school track: Boys championship results...
  • High school girls track: Davis wins...
  • Frances Monson, wife of LDS prophet, passes away
  • Mitt Romney talks IRS, AP records, Benghazi...
  • If hired, Jeff Hornacek will face same...
  • USA Rugby: 'What BYU won ... was a mythical...
  • Watch a video tribute to Sister Frances B....
  • Dick Harmon: BYU coach Mike Littlewood...
  • Mormon NFL safety Eric Weddle: Balancing...
  • Disney reportedly pulls new 'Brave' image of...
Get The Deseret News Everywhere

Subscribe

Mobile

Facebook

Twitter

RSS

Email

Most Commented
Across Site
In Sports
  • Considerable work, planning has gone... 71
  • USA Rugby: 'What BYU won ... was a... 66
  • Mormon NFL safety Eric Weddle:... 65
  • Ryan Teeples: Ziggy Ansah's story... 61
  • Utes football recruiting: Polynesian... 60
  • Utes football: No changes imminent for... 56
  • High school baseball: 5A, 4A, 3A state... 49
  • BYU football to receive 6-figure payout... 41
  • Dan Liljenquist: Chaffetz's search for... 79
  • Considerable work, planning has gone... 71
  • USA Rugby: 'What BYU won ... was a... 66
  • Mormon NFL safety Eric Weddle:... 65
  • Frances Monson, wife of LDS prophet,... 63
  • Ryan Teeples: Ziggy Ansah's story... 61
  • Utes football recruiting: Polynesian... 60
  • Mitt Romney talks IRS, AP records,... 58
Advertise with usReport this ad
Advertise with usReport this ad
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Moneywise
  • Opinion
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Obituaries
Home »
  • Blogs
  • Topics
  • Lists
  • Movies
  • Columnists
  • Watch It
News »
  • Utah news
  • World & Nation
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Education
  • Salt Lake County
  • Utah County
  • Davis County
  • Police/Courts
  • Legislature
  • Weather
  • Immigration
  • News Wire
Sports »
  • Utah Jazz
  • Sports Picks
  • BYU Cougars
  • Utah Utes
  • Utah State Aggies
  • Real Salt Lake
  • Salt Lake Bees
  • High school sports
  • Rock
  • Harmon
  • Watch It
  • Scores and Stats
  • On TV
  • NFL
  • MLB
  • Weber State Wildcats
  • Grizzlies
  • Utah Valley Wolverines
  • Southern Utah University
  • Sports Wire
Opinion »
  • Editorials
  • Op-Eds
  • Letters
  • Political Cartoons
Faith »
  • Featured Faiths
  • Mormon Times
  • LDS Church News
  • Mission Reunions
  • Faith Wire
Family »
  • Marriage & Parenting
  • Family Media
  • Movie Guide
  • Calendar
  • TV Listings
  • Family Life Wire
Special Sections »
  • Census
  • City Creek
  • Decision 2012
  • Education Week
  • Fire Watch
  • LDS General Conference
  • Mormons in America
  • Olympics
  • Outdoor Retailer
  • Rugby
  • Sports Picks
  • Sundance Film Festival
  • Utah Blaze
  • Utah Grizzlies
  • Voter Guide
  • Print Subscription
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • FAQ
  • Feedback
  • Jobs
  • RSS
  • E-Edition
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal notices
  • Advertise with us
Advertise with usReport this ad