Paul Millsap is good


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SALT LAKE CITY — Paul Millsap doesn't command the limelight, make a big scene or complain about how the game is going. Because of this he sometime gets forgotten even when he has big nights it always seems like someone else is the story.

The Jazz have been hot lately winning six of the last seven including a 95-83 victory over the Hornets. Millsap has quietly provided anything and everything that the Jazz have needed to get those wins going.

Last night he was flirting with his a triple-double for the second time in the last week. He ended the night with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists.

Utah Jazz's Paul Millsap (24) goes to the basket as New Orleans Hornets' Ryan Anderson (33) defends in the second quarter during an NBA basketball game Friday, April 5, 2013, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz's Paul Millsap (24) goes to the basket as New Orleans Hornets' Ryan Anderson (33) defends in the second quarter during an NBA basketball game Friday, April 5, 2013, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

"He's just playing he's taking what is there for him," said coach Tyrone Corbin. "We're getting the ball in his hands at different times teams coming out to double and he's getting the ball early in the shot clock. He goes to make a play. Teams come to double he's making the right basketball play. He's doing what it takes to win."

Making the right play is different all the time. I could be scoring 20, in the game against the Nets he was pretty close to a triple-double, but didn't have one stat in double figures. In that game he had nine points, nine assists and six rebounds. Against Portland he just had 16 points on 7-11 shooting.

"I've just been out there playing the game right, doing it the right way," Millsap said. "Picking and choosing my spots. Making sure the ball moves so everybody gets to touch it. Just playing the game."

His night against the Nets went a little unnoticed because of Randy Foye's shooting and again against the Hornets it was a little overshadowed by the second half hot shooting from Gordon Hayward. Hayward had three points at halftime, he hit one corner 3, in the second half he had 20 and ended the night shooting 50 percent from the field.

"I think he's creating more for everyone else," Hayward said. "We need that from him because he is such a threat offensively. He's becoming more of a dual-threat of able to pass it, make plays for everyone else. And we always have to be ready because he's such a good passer."

He has found a way to be efficient and is getting more and more minutes, especially since Enes Kanter went out. His role has basically been the same since Deron Williams was traded two years ago. He is the second option, the other big man and the workhorse. Lately it seems he has become more of a facilitator in the offense as well.

Is his role changing or adjusting at all?


He's always battling something. He's not going to complain. He's one of the guys he's going to come out and play and you have to watch and make sure that he's okay. He won't complain and that's what's great about him.

–Tyrone Corbin


"I don't know if it's adjusting," Hayward said. "I think he's just reading the defenses and making the right play."

Very recently he has looked a little passive fans have said he looked checked out, but with most things Millsap he was probably battling an injury. After one game he sat at his locker with a blank stare and it was easy to see he was sick there.

"He's always battling something," Corbin said. "He's not going to complain. He's one of the guys he's going to come out and play and you have to watch and make sure that he's okay. He won't complain and that's what's great about him."

So, is he healthy right now?

"Yeah, I'm good," Millsap said.

Has he been healthy this season?

"I've been good," Millsap said.

And he's right, he has been unnoticed, workmanlike and every other adjective he probably hears over and over. But all in all he has been good.

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