Utah Jazz: Miles as giddy as a kid at Christmas

C.J. Miles has probably never been more excited to show up to the Jazz's practice facility as he was Wednesday morning.

The small forward finally received medical clearance to fully participate in practice after missing most of the past two months with a left thumb injury, and he was all smiles.

"I'm just glad to be back," Miles said.How glad? Think first-day-of-school, getting-a-new-video-game, Christmas morning-for-young-kids giddy.

"I'm anxious for practice more than I (am) for the game," Miles admitted. "I (am) anxious to be able to play, period. I feel like today's a game day."

Miles, who had surgery to repair a ruptured ligament on Oct. 7 in New York, injured his thumb while diving for a loose ball during a practice when the Jazz were in London this preseason. He hasn't seen action since scoring 16 points in the first exhibition game on Oct. 1.

The southpaw wore a cast on his shooting hand for a month and has been rehabbing since getting it removed three weeks ago. He is still sporting a brace on his thumb.

The 22-year-old believes it won't take him long to get back into playing shape. He's been doing cardio conditioning all along and can hit the weights again.

"Of course I lost a little bit because you just can't replace playing in a game," he said. "But I did a lot of running and everything I could do to stay (in) as much shape as I could. ... I think as far as basketball, it's just like riding a bike."

Coach Jerry Sloan said he'll have to evaluate how Miles looks in practices before deciding whether or not to reinsert him in the starting lineup over rookie swingman Wesley Matthews, who's started the past nine games. Sloan hinted that he isn't necessarily inclined to make changes to the starting five even though Miles started last season.

"I'm anxious to see him practice," Sloan said. "I've gotta see where he is."

The Jazz coach admits his job is about to get harder now that injured players are beginning to return and playing time will be tougher to divvy out — something he won't complain about.

"Wes has done a pretty good job, so I give him an opportunity to play. C.J. has more experience," Sloan said. "We'll just have to see where we are, because we've been trying to get through the fact that we haven't had enough guys."

Miles is just happy to be in the mix again, so he isn't concerned whether he starts or has a reserve role. He just wants to play.

"I doubt it," Miles said when asked if he'll resume his starting role. "Why would I the way Wes and (Ronnie) Brewer are playing and the guys have been playing. I wouldn't even want to be that guy to come in and mess up the chemistry.