Utah Jazz: C.J. Miles filled in nicely for Josh Howard

SALT LAKE CITY — For C.J. Miles, it's all about aggressiveness.

For most of his six years as a member of the Utah Jazz, Miles has been known for those long 3-pointers or pull-up jumpers. He's not the kind of player you picture going inside and mixing it up among the big boys.

This season, though, he's adopted an aggressive attitude on both sides of the ball, and it may be the key for him to get more playing minutes on the floor.

After seeing diminished minutes earlier this season, Miles saw increased playing time last week and he took advantage with 54 points in three games.

"I've been aggressive, offensively and defensively, just trying to make plays," he says. "I've been trying to go to the basket offensively and defensively. I've just been trying to stay active, get some steals and get myself out on the break where I can use my athleticism."

The latter was evident the past three games when he made seven steals, which he often converted into dunks or layups at the other end.

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin agrees that more aggressive play is helping Miles' game lately.

"He's been aggressive going to the basket, and defensively he's doing a better job of getting up into guys and using his athletic ability to get steals," he said. "His aggressive play is the key for him. When he's active and aggressive on the offensive end and the defensive end, he makes things happen."

After starting 145 games over the past five seasons, Miles has been relegated to the bench this year as Corbin has opted to start Raja Bell at shooting guard and Gordon Hayward at small forward. With the addition of free agent Josh Howard and rookie Alec Burks, Miles' minutes have dropped below 20 per game for the first time in four seasons.

In fact, in back-to-back games earlier this month, Miles played just nine minutes against Memphis and four against Golden State.

However, when Howard got injured against Denver, Miles got more time on the court and averaged 24 minutes in home games against the Clippers, Mavericks and Timberwolves.

Howard has noticed Miles' improved play as he's been sitting out and, without being prompted, used the same word as Miles and Corbin in describing Miles' play.

"He's playing great," Howard said. "He's coming out and being aggressive like I've always told him. That's the main thing, staying aggressive throughout the whole game."