As Jazz coach Jerry Sloan recalls it, he learned his lesson on the value of versatility back when the Golden State Warriors knocked Utah out of the first round of the 1989 NBA playoffs in three straight games.

By the start of the 1991-92 season, Sloan knew for certain a move had to be made.

"I go back to when I had Thurl Bailey and Mark Eaton and Karl Malone," Sloan said. "That's how we traded for (current Jazz assistant coach) Tyrone (Corbin).

"He (Corbin) was a little bit more versatile player, and all of our guys were post-up players. That (makes it) tough to adjust to (an opponent's) smaller lineup. ... That's why we lost against Golden State in the playoffs."

Flash forward to 2008.

Now, it's Andre Kirilenko who provides the versatility Corbin did then.

"That's one of things you have to be able to do, because everybody's got a different style of trying to win," Sloan said. "They use smaller lineups, bigger lineups, whatever. And if you can't adjust to that, or you don't have the personnel to adjust to it, you're gonna be in trouble.

"We can do that a great deal more now," he added, "because Andrei can play three positions and a couple other guys can play a couple positions. We have a lot more flexibility."

So beware, Houston. Be ready, Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz have something for everyone.

For evidence, and just for fun and/or debate, here are but a few of their possibilities:

THE STARTERS:
Point guard: Deron Williams
Shooting guard: Ronnie Brewer
Small forward: C.J. Miles
Power forward: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

THE SUBS:
Point guard: Ronnie Price or Brevin Knight
Shooting guard: Kyle Korver
Small forward: Andrei Kirilenko or Matt Harpring
Power forward: Paul Millsap or Kosta Koufos
Center: Jarron Collins or Kyrylo Fesenko

SMALL BALL:
Point guard: Deron Williams
Shooting guard: Ronnie Brewer
Small forward: C.J. Miles
Power forward: Andrei Kirilenko
Center: Carlos Boozer

SMALL BALL II: