Utah Jazz: Almond works hard in first start

Morris Almond has had better starts as a professional basketball player.

The one that ended with him setting an NBA Development League scoring record with 53 points for the Utah Flash probably tops that list.

That list of starts in the pros, however, didn't include any in the NBA until Saturday night.

With regular starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer out of town attending his aunt's funeral, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan inserted Utah's first-round pick from the 2007 NBA Draft into the starting lineup against the Orlando Magic.

After the game, however, Almond acted as if he were more bummed out about the Jazz's disheartening 103-94 loss than he was excited to be introduced along with fellow starters Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur, C.J. Miles and Paul Millsap.

"That wasn't like the bottom line," Almond said of his first NBA start. "Once we got done with the introductions, it was just another game."

Considering Almond's start came in the same calendar year of his record-setting offensive explosion and all of his D-League accolades, his insertion into the starting five might not be all that surprising.

Considering the Jazz informed Almond they weren't going to pick up the team option on the third year of his rookie contract for the 2009-10 season, Sloan's decision to use him as Brewer's replacement might be a bit surprising to some.

The call could be considered a vote of confidence from Sloan for Almond, who's received public praise from his coach for working hard in practice and improving his all-around game on multiple occasions.

A bit critical to the team in general for the players' lack of energy and effort compared to the Magic, Sloan had no such criticism for his newest, albeit temporary, starter who's trying to prove he isn't just a shooter.

"I thought he worked hard," Sloan said.

Though Almond missed a couple of seemingly gimmes under the hoop — along with several other Jazz players — Sloan liked some of the cuts he made to the basket. He also complimented his second-year guard for working to get open looks.

Almond's five rebounds in 19 1/2 minutes really caught his coach's attention.

"To me that's a sign that he was competing," Sloan said.

Almond finished with 48 fewer points in his debut than he put up in that dazzling D-League performance from just over 10 months ago.