This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
LOS ANGELES — Paul Millsap took one very important lesson from his grandmother before she died.
"Take care of your family," the Jazz forward said Monday.
When Orleice Millsap died, her grandson left the Jazz and flew home to spend three days with his family in Louisiana. He missed two games, but said it was a "no-brainer" to return home.
"It was very important," Millsap said. "Family comes first, above basketball, family comes first."
Millsap rejoined the Jazz on Monday in Los Angeles for practice, and said he was glad to return to a familiar rhythm.
"It feels great," he said. "This is the place where you can forget everything and go out there and play. Get your mind off of what's going on in the real world. It's great to be back with these guys."
Millsap returns to a team that, in his absence defeated both the defending Western Conference champions, Oklahoma City, and the revamped Lakers.
"It was hard to see him go through the thing with his family," coach Tyrone Corbin said, "but it was great to get him back here.
— Bill Oram