He is a power forward, emphasis on the power part.

Comes from Louisiana Tech, emphasized the rebounding part.

Plays in a Utah Jazz uniform, emphatically insists on the punching-the-time-clock-every-day part.

And the catchy nickname? Well, Paul Millsap is missing that part of the inconsequential-but-interesting-nonetheless Karl Malone comparison.

Despite the fact he plays the same position, shares multiple old stomping grounds and displays similar durability, Millsap is no Mailman.

Ironman, as he's been called on occasion, will work on several levels until somebody gives him a new moniker.

Wednesday's start — during which he scored 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double while filling in for the injured Carlos Boozer — upped Millsap's playing streak to 180 straight regular-season games.

The third-year player, who is expected to start again tonight against the Kings at EnergySolutions, has yet to call in sick, sprained or strained during his NBA career.

Kinda reminds Jazz coach Jerry Sloan of guys he admires, who, like Malone — a future Hall-of-Famer who didn't miss a game in 10 of his full NBA seasons — "play when they're hurt and banged up a little bit." Sometimes a lot.

"That's the thing you appreciate in players — guys that give it to ya every day," Sloan said. "He's done that and made himself a better player."

Millsap said he's gotta "knock on wood" — while he's knocking heads and banging bodies with other big bruisers on the hardwood — that his longevity will continue. But toughness, a high pain threshold and strong genes would seem to have more a role in this than simple luck.

"I've been blessed to have a body that's durable," Millsap said. "I work hard in the offseason for that situation — for injury prevention."

Millsap said his body feels like taking a break "all the time." It was tempting to take a day off after a brutal and painful fall on his backside and left elbow against Washington a couple of weeks ago.

But despite several sore spots, he played two days later anyway.

"After the fall, I felt real bad. The day after I couldn't walk hardly," Millsap said. "I heated it, iced it and played through it."

Millsap's passion for playing and his intense drive to succeed keep him from showing off his dressy duds behind the bench with other injured players.

"I'd rather get out there and play. I love basketball," he said. "And I love playing in this environment. It's hard for me to miss out on a game."