Utah Jazz: Maynor, Price still battling to be backup point

LOS ANGELES — It may not be the most-pressing issue of the Jazz's preseason, but it's become one of the more entertaining.

Will rookie Eric Maynor win the post, or does combo guard Ronnie Price finally get his chance to serve as the Jazz's primary backup point behind starter Deron Williams?

In coach Jerry Sloan's world, and probably CNN's too, it's way too early to call the race.

Especially with just four of eight preseason precincts reporting — and even with another two to close this weekend, when in a double doubleheader the Jazz visit the Los Angeles Clippers today at the Staples Center and, depending on whether they win or lose, face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Charlotte here on Sunday.

"I don't know where I'll go," said Sloan, whose Jazz also have exhibition road games Tuesday at Portland and Friday at Sacramento before opening the regular season Oct. 28 at Denver. "I'll just wait until the season starts, and see what's gone on in the exhibition season, how they work in practice and that sort of thing."

Awarding even a limited reserve role to the youngster — Williams will get the bulk of minutes at the point, with no more than 8-to-10 available to his backup on many nights — would be notable indeed in a Jazz planet where rookie typically are to be seen but not heard.

Still, Sloan seemingly has significant degree of fondness for Maynor — and, based on the way the two have been used so far in the preseason, it's possible may be more inclined to find minutes for the much-liked Price at shooting guard.

"He (Maynor) doesn't look like he's strong enough to hold up his breakfast," the Jazz coach said, "but he's got a little bit more toughness than what he looks, I think, at times, and he looks to get people the basketball.

"He's coming along fine."

The Jazz's first-round draft choice — selected 20th overall out of Colonial Athletic Association power Virginia Commonwealth — had 14 points, dished five assists and shot 4-for-9 from the field, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, while logging 23 minutes in Utah's 99-96 preseason home win over Portland on Thursday.

The 22-year-old has averaged 19 minutes, 7.5 points, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 turnover while shooting 33.3 percent — but 42.9 percent from behind the long-distance line — so far in the preseason.

"He's confident," said Sloan, who wants the slender 175-pounder to bulk up a bit and improve his strength.