Utah Jazz: Depth chart to tighten up during stretch run

With the playoffs rapidly approaching and his team back to full strength — not counting a shiner here or some still-getting-into-shape legs there — Jazz coach Jerry Sloan knows one thing is for certain.

Some players won't see as much time on the court as they'd prefer.

And his duty of parceling out playing time during a part of the year when the depth chart often tightens up, he predicts, will bring about another certainty.

"I'm not going to make everybody happy," Sloan said at practice Sunday.

The 21-year Jazz coach just hopes the three or four players whose playing time might be inconsistent at best remain professional and prepared.

"Hopefully, they understand that," Sloan said. "It's not anything personal other than I have to make decisions based on what I think gives us the best chance to win."

Learning how to deal with hit-and-miss action, Sloan continued, is part of basketball.

"You try to do those things professionally so it doesn't screw you up," Sloan said. "Because if you bury your head and forget to work and do your job then when you do get the opportunity you might not be ready to play. That's what you're supposed to be able to do."

Having a Chuck-A-Rama buffet amount of player combinations and personnel choices is a luxury for Sloan, even if it occasionally bruises egos and causes coaching heartburn.

The coach added that being forced to make strategy decisions and having so many weapons to choose from is "the fun part of it."

"This is an easy job regardless," Sloan added with a smile. "I find out how easy it is just reading the paper."

And if he thinks that helps, just wait until he discovers the online readers' comments.

MUST ADJUST: Nobody asked Sloan what tree he'd be, but he believes being flexible and going with the flow is a must in the NBA. Guess that'd make him a willow, not an oak.

"Learn how to adjust to different situations that come up all year long, that's part of it all the time," Sloan said. "You're always adjusting to something. Whether it's 29 other teams, or the time or your schedule, whatever."

ROOTING INTEREST: Local men's teams have been eliminated from postseason tournaments, but a few Jazz players are still rooting some teams on.

Carlos Boozer has some bragging rights, seeing as Duke advanced to the Sweet 16 and nobody else's team remains alive in the NCAAs. Stanford alum Brevin Knight, however, has personal interest in Pittsburgh. His brother, Brandin, played for the Panthers and is now a Pitt assistant coach.

Kyle Korver's alma mater and his brother Kaleb's team, Creighton, hosts Kentucky tonight in the NIT's second round. Having the Wildcats play at their place, Korver said, is "a big deal" for the Jesuit college in Omaha, Neb.

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