Utah Jazz could be bound for Europe next preseason
The team, general manager Kevin O'Connor said Thursday, is under consideration to play two 2009 preseason games overseas.
"We've been contacted by the league about going to Europe," O'Connor said.
The Jazz are making preliminary plans to travel, though nothing is set in stone quite yet.
"Further discussions have gone on," the Jazz GM added. "But we've been given nothing in writing, or told definitely whether we're absolutely, positively, for sure going."
The club expects to play one game in each of two countries, with a few days in between that are designated for practice and public-relations activities.
The trip would be part of the NBA's annual Europe Live tour.
Possible locales come from a pool of countries including Germany, England, France, Spain and Turkey. City possibilities include Berlin, London, Paris and Madrid, though specifics remain uncertain.
"We've been given no destinations," O'Connor said.
The Jazz had been scheduled to play preseason games in Moscow in 2004, but that trip was canceled at the eleventh hour due to terrorist activity in Russia.
MILES UPDATE: C.J. Miles, the Jazz's starting small forward, had minimal swelling in his moderately sprained right ankle Thursday.
Miles sprained the ankle in Wednesday's win over New Orleans, and was re-evaluated Thursday.
He's being called "doubtful" by the team for Saturday's home game against Detroit, and is scheduled for additional re-evaluation before Monday's home game against Indiana.
Miles is the only Jazz player to appear in all 36 games this season, and he's started each, averaging 22.9 minutes per game.
ALMOND ALTERNATIVE: The Jazz didn't pick up Morris Almond's contract option for next season, and he's been healthy/inactive for the last three games.
But if Miles doesn't go against the Pistons, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan isn't averse to giving some of Miles' minutes to shooting-guard Almond.
"He's played pretty hard in practice, and deserves a chance to play," Sloan said.
"We're really overloaded some at that position," he added.
"I'll play Andrei (Kirilenko, the Jazz's sixth man) some at 2 and 3, and that takes away some minutes. But I wouldn't be afraid to put Morris out there."
Recent comments
It is very simple actually.
1. Deron has been injured most of the...
re: D-Will | Jan. 9, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.
BOOOOOO is out of his mind. Almond spells antacid. We know where...
Re RE BoOoO | Jan. 9, 2009 at 11:56 a.m.
Agreed,
Magnus, Miles, Dean, Kevin you guys need to put asside your...
Re: unite the clans | Jan. 9, 2009 at 11:36 a.m.
- Envoy to Kabul opposes more troops 11:21 p.m.
- Docs: Hasan's behavior odd, lazy 11:20 p.m.
- U.N. says hunger stunts millions 11:19 p.m.
- Brazil defends power grid 11:16 p.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 11:09 p.m.
- Sports briefs 10:55 p.m.
- Tavernari has matured 10:54 p.m.
- Williams plays despite back and calf... 10:45 p.m.
- Wade honored to join 'Air Jordan' 10:25 p.m.
- PTSD lingers for war veterans 10:25 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- Gays get Mormon support in SLC
- House passes health care bill
286 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
241 - TCU showdown has big implications
193 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
108 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
101
Utah State hoops coach Stew Morrill took a few minutes to talk about Weber
The subsidies for so-called renewables average 100 times those for fossil and...
Ladies and Gentilmen your Utah Jazz. Ha Ha He He Oh Oh Ho Ho he he ha...
is going to have their hands full this weekend. Go UTES!
I don't need to back up what I said the evidence is clear as mud on the wall....
The Jazz's own first round pick is top 17 protected, so the way things are...
Go Dixie!!! Work your hardest!!! Get payback from earlier!!!
What have you done to our Jazz?
I hope Greg realizes that to be a contender and get your money's worth you...
If Gary Herbet touches my taxes, we'll vote that liberal out of office. ...
Rely on passing? Re: SS#1,how you ever seen us play? one kid last game we...
