Utah Jazz: Williams doing his part to help Jazz build title contender

He is off now on a monthlong tour, one which — if all goes as planned — will have Jazz point guard Deron Williams and his 11 Team USA teammates wearing Olympic gold around their necks by this time in August.

As much as the upcoming Summer Games in China mean to Williams and his fellow Americans, however, the point guard's heart remains in Utah.

Williams made that much clear two-plus weeks ago, when he signed a contract extension with the Jazz that could be worth about $70 million and keep him here through at 2013.

In doing so, Williams validated the notion that the franchise will have his fingerprints all over it for years to come.

On the court, and off.

On, he's sounding more and more like longtime Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan by the day.

"Hopefully we can tighten up some things this year defensively," Williams said mere minutes after formally signing his extension. "I think that's gonna be a big key to our success and to stepping into the right direction to winning to a championship.

"Because we don't have a problem scoring the ball," he added.

"That's never been a problem with this team, with the execution and the offense that Coach runs. I think where we're gonna make our mark is on the defensive end. You know, we have to get a lot better at doing that."

Off the floor, Williams seems to enjoy bending the ear of general manager Kevin O'Connor — and he's even played some summer golf with Jazz president Randy Rigby in his group.

And while there's a fine line between a superstar who meddles and one whose input is not only welcome but also respected, Williams sure sounds like someone who knows the difference.

"Kevin, for the last year, year and a half, has (come) to me and asked me for some input on guys that I know," he said. "So, you know, I'm not an overbearing guy where I'm gonna come be like, 'Get this guy, get this guy,' or 'We need this guy.'

"But if he (O'Connor) asks me for my input, and maybe I feel like we need something, then I'll give him a little input. But I'm not gonna try to take over his job, because he's the best at his job in the first place."

Already, though, Williams' work when it comes to potential free agents has begun.

The same day he signed his extension, the Jazz point made a passionate plea to All-Star power forward and fellow Team USA member Carlos Boozer.