Jazz coach Corbin says Howard is "hungry"

During a three-year span between 2007 and 2009, Josh Howard averaged 18.9, 19.9 and 18 points a game in Dallas. In the past two seasons with the Mavericks and Washington Wizards, however, Howard averaged 11.3 points on 38.4 percent shooting.The Jazz signed Howard, who turns 32 in April, to a one-year contract Thursday. He is expected to dress for Saturday night's public scrimmage at EnergySolutions Arena. "... He knows what it's all about," coach Tyrone Corbin said, "and he's a hungry guy. He wants to show this league that he can still continue to play."The Jazz won't rush the injury-plagued Howard into battle, preferring a cautious approach while integrating him into their rotation."It's been several months since he's been on the floor," Corbin said. "We have to give the guy an opportunity to get up to speed and then kind of [ease] him in a little bit before throwing him to the wolves. We want to give him the best chance to be successful when he gets on the floor."—-What does Howard bring to the Jazz? "Veteran leadership," Corbin said. "A tough guy. He can play defense and he can score on the offensive end. ... We look forward to him helping this group play at a high level."Corbin continued: "He plays close to the basket. He can put the ball on the floor and get there. Offensive rebounding is [also] part of his game. And defensive rebounding. He can get in there and get the pass to the guard and then get out and run and make plays in transition."—- Georgia State plays at Utah Valley on Saturday night and members of its coaching staff attended Friday morning's Jazz practice.One Georgia State assistant, Darryl LaBarrie, previously worked at Georgia Tech, where Jazz power forward Derrick Favors spent his only collegiate season. The two embraced and visited before practice. — Steve Luhm