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SALT LAKE CITY -- Friday's Jazz Media Day brought the team together for the first time since locker clean out April 28. It's just a day to meet with the media and take pictures and videos in full uniform for use throughout the season.
After a slow summer where the Jazz made none of the big deals many thought they would--Boozer--the team's back to begin the 2009-2010 season with almost the same roster as they ended last season with.
High-profile "opt-ins" from Memo, Kyle Korver and Carlos Boozer set the tone. Memo was rewarded with a 2-year extension, keeping the savvy, deep threat in a Jazz uniform through the 2011-2012 season; however, seemingly by mutual consent there was no extension in Boozer's case.
Great timing and a front-loaded offer sheet from Portland made free agent Paul Millsap a multi-millionaire, including a rare $10 million lump sum up front. Now that Millie's making major money, it figures playing time becomes more of a premium for him.
Related:
Boozer ready to move forward with the Jazz
It's been a long and tumultuous offseason for the Utah Jazz. Most of the drama centered on whether Carlos Boozer would be back with the team. But he's back with the team and says he's ready to move forward.As expected--and perhaps helped out by showing his teammates how to stand up to the Lakers in the fourth quarter of their last playoff game--Ronnie Price was re-signed.
The departures are veteran backup point guard Brevin Knight and eight-year Jazzman Jarron Collins--now in Blazers training camp, battling for the last spot on Portland's roster--and in limbo Matt Harpring. He's likely played his last game in a Jazz uniform, but in order for Harp to collect on the final year of his contract ($6.5 million) and the Jazz get relief through his insurance policy, Harpring must remain on the team and miss something like 41 straight games due to his ankle and knee injuries.
The only addition, so far, is top draft pick Eric Maynor, expected to battle Price for minutes backing up Deron Willliams, second-round pick Goran Suton will also be in training camp along with former Utah State Aggie great Spencer Nelson.
Saturday the Jazz begin three straight days of "two-a-days," double practices followed by normal practices Tuesday and Wednesday, then next Thursday Oct. 1 the Jazz open the NBA preseason hosting the defending Northwest Division Champion Denver Nuggets. Then the Jazz will fly to London, play the Chicago Bulls there in London's O2 arena on Tuesday Oct. 6, then it's on to Madrid to run with Real Madrid on Thursday Oct. 8. Regular season tips off Wednesday Oct. 28 at Denver. The Jazz home opener is Friday Oct. 30. They'll be hosting Blake Griffin and the L.A. Clippers.
Major Western Conference additions/subtractions
Lakers—added Ron Artest (lost Trevor Ariza) Spurs—added Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff, Dujuan Blair ,Keith Bogans (lost Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas) Blazers—added Andre Miller (lost Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye) Nuggets—added Aaron Afflalo, Ty Lawson, Malik Allen (lost Linas Kleiza, Dahntay Jones, Walter Sharpe) Hornets—added Emeka Okafor , Ike Diogu, Darren Collison (lost Tyson Chandler) Mavs—added Shawn Marion,Drew Gooden,Quinton Ross and Tim Thomas (lost Brandon Bass,Ryan Holllins, Antoine Wright, Devean George, Jerry Stackhouse) Suns—added Channing Frye, Sasha Pavlovic, Earl Clark (Lost Shaq, Matt Barnes) Jazz—added Eric Maynor (lost Jarron Collins, Brevin Knight)
E-mail: tkirkland@ksl.com
