Utah Jazz sniffing around for a hard-nosed draft pick

Naturally, the Jazz think they know toughness when they see it. Deron Williams, Paul Millsap and Matt Harpring are known for their bullish play. Karl Malone missed eight games — including a couple of suspensions — in 18 years with the Jazz. Mark Eaton habitually punished anyone who dared venture in the paint. Jeff Hornacek wasn't as physical, but played relentlessly on knees so bad they quivered in the breeze. Which proves a point: Tough guys don't always need to be big.

John Stockton was a little guy who pounded people like a football blocking sled.

"You can find players who are slight of body, maybe point guards, who are more mentally tough than they look physically tough," Perrin said.

That the Jazz would be openly looking for toughness makes sense. This year they were as soft inside as a bonbon. Opponents like the Lakers — and far lesser — drove the lane with impudence.

"Most people think of toughness in terms of physical," Perrin said. "But it's also mental, and it can help us with road wins and back-to-backs. So I think we're consciously looking at always to find tough players, but probably more so than in the past."

That can't be bad news for those who worked out for the Jazz, this month.

"I think another thing would be the interviews, and we talk to them so we can ask them questions, find out what they feel, how they think, how they may answer certain questions," Perrin said. "Whether they're going to be hard workers or be guys who may complain."

And while it's possible the Jazz could end up drafting pretty boys with the 20th and 50th picks, that seems uncharacteristic.

More likely, they'll choose someone who leads with his nose.

e-mail: rock@desnews.com