Utah Jazz: Team impressed by play of Bulls' top draft pick

CHICAGO — He played Deron Williams to a virtual statistical draw Friday night in Champaign, Ill., where the Jazz dropped a preseason game to the Chicago Bulls.

He had another double-digit scoring night Saturday, dropping 11 (albeit with 4-of-14 field shooting) when the Jazz beat the Bulls 88-80 in a rematch at the United Center.

No wonder new Bulls point Derrick Rose, the No. 1 overall selection in last June's NBA Draft, is drawing generally rave reviews already.

"I think once he works on his shot and gets a shot he's going to be so tough to defend, because he's already so quick, so fast with the ball going to the basket," Williams said of Rose, a Chicago high school product who led the University of Memphis to last season's NCAA title game as a freshman. "You know, it gets tough to stop him if you have to respect out past the 3-point line. It's going to be real tough."

"He's a wonderful young player," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan added. "He's got a great body. He sees what's going on out there."

That said, Sloan suggested expectations for Rose — or anything similarly touted youngster — should remain realistic for now.

"It doesn't make any difference who you are, or what you are, in my opinion. You judge them after 10 or 12 years. See who they really are," the Jazz coach said. "You know, a lot of guys who come in this league are supposed to be another Oscar Robertson or Jerry West."

New Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro vows to try to remember the same.

"He's young. And Deron Williams in his first year, if people remember, it took him a little while to get accustomed to the NBA," Del Negro said. "It's going to take Derrick (the same).

"The point guard position is the hardest, and some guys adapt quicker than others," he added. "I think Derrick will adapt very quick, just because of his personality and his work ethic. But it does take time."

MILES STARTING?: Sloan on Saturday suggested he'll probably stick in the regular season with his preseason experiment of starting usual reserve swingman C.J. Miles at small forward and bringing incumbent starter Andrei Kirilenko off the bench.

"I assume that, the way we are right now," he said. "I've got to give him (Miles) a chance to see if he's gonna be able to play. Right now is as good a time as any."

But, Sloan hastened to add, "I don't know if it will be a consistent thing. I can't tell you for sure. ... I'll just have to see what happens"

ONE UP: After Friday night's preseason game at the University of Illinois drew nearly 14,000 to watch the Bulls and Williams and the Jazz, shooting guard Ronnie Brewer was asked how a Jazz preseason game at the University of Arkansas would play.

"There would be like 20,000-strong," he said. "At least."

Brewer proposed a future exhibition game between Utah and Atlanta, which features fellow Arkansas product Joe Johnson.

"That would sell out," he said.

MISC.: Big man Jarron Collins sat out again Saturday due to severe triceps tendinitis. ... Reserve guard Brevin Knight (sprained thumb) dressed but did not play, as did reserve guard Morris Almond (coach's decision) on a night Sloan played mostly his likely regular rotation. ... For a second straight game, free agents Kevin Lyde, Gerry McNamara and Gabe Muoneke also all did not play. ... Ex-Jazz forward Michael Ruffin was out again for the Bulls with a sprained ankle, and hasn't played all preseason.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com