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Jazz Newcomers
Fisher 'perfect fit' for Jazz
He drafted a point guard who won increasing respect as his first season went on, finally earning a spot on the All-Rookie team. So having shored up that position for the foreseeable future, what player did Kevin O'Connor decide to make his No. 1 target of the offseason?
Another point guard, naturally.
But of all the players O'Connor considered pursuing over the summer, Derek Fisher was the best possible pickup for the Jazz, the team's vice president says, because the 10-year veteran is a natural leader, and possesses a pretty good jump shot, too.
The Jazz have lacked both the past few seasons.
"He really is the perfect fit for our needs," O'Connor said. "I think we got really lucky that he was available."
Here's a look at the newcomers:
* DEE BROWN - As if being barely six feet tall in a game full of skyscrapers isn't challenge enough, the rookie also faces the task of trying to learn a new position, sort of. He was at his best when following Williams' lead at Illinois, but the Jazz expect him to be a pure point guard here. His speed, range and intelligence suggest that he's up to it.
* PAUL MILLSAP - His position is Utah's most crowded, but the Jazz couldn't resist such a rebounding prodigy. His play in the summer league convinced them to keep the Louisianan around to see whether he can sniff out rebounds at this level, too. He was a 57.7 percent shooter in college.
* DEREK FISHER - Comes advertised as the perimeter sharpshooter the Jazz have lacked for years, but the numbers suggest his value lies entirely outside the three-point line. Fisher is a subpar 39.9 percent shooter overall, but a terrific 37.3 from three-point range. He also averages more than four assists a game, solid for a backup.
* ROGER POWELL - Established himself as a dangerous scorer in the CBA after going undrafted a year ago, but he still carries the dreaded "tweener" label in the NBA - with the game, but not the size, to play inside. He's been working on a three-point shot to counter that
reputation.
* RAFAEL ARAUJO - A shocking pick at No. 8 in the 2004 draft, he crumbled under the pressure in Toronto. With so few options available, the Jazz figured he was worth a gamble, since he played well in Provo. Foul-prone and a terrible shooter for a big man, Araujo has devoted himself this summer to getting in better shape.
* RONNIE BREWER - He averaged 15.7 points in three college seasons, but that's not what convinced the Jazz to make him the 14th pick in the draft. They were more interested in his startling explosiveness and athleticism, and his reputation for tight defense.
* TYLER SMITH - A physical forward with decent shooting range, Smith has played professionally in the Netherlands, Italy, Uruguay and Argentina since graduating from Penn State four seasons ago. A long shot to make the roster, but his reputation for hustle figures to play well with Utah's coaching
staff.
* FRANS STEYN - A natural shot blocker, the South African center averaged 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in Division II, but went undrafted in June. He's banking on Jazz's shortage of 7-footers, and history of giving them a long look in camp. His wife Lori is the sister of BYU Heisman-winning quarterback Ty
Detmer.
* HIRAM FULLER - High blood pressure ended his stint with the Jazz's Rocky Mountain Revue team after just two games, but he intrigued Jazz enough to earn another look. One of Washington's final cuts last fall, he averaged 12.0 points in the D League before signing to play in France.
* BRIAN CHASE - His passing ability and three-point range impressed the Jazz during the Revue, and he will compete with Brown for the third point-guard spot. Averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 assists and - remarkable for an undersized guard - 4.0 rebounds in the D League last year.
Jazz Boise Bonus
* The Jazz will hold an open practice and intrasquad scrimmage on Friday at the Taco Bell Arena on the Boise State University campus. The 6 p.m. practice is free and open to the public, though tickets will be required for admission. Tickets can be picked up at any of the five Boise-area Larry Miller auto dealerships.
Jazz Preseason History
1974 2-5
1975 4-4
1976 5-2
1977 6-2
1978 3-5
1979 2-2
1980 1-7
1981 4-3
1982 2-5
1983 4-3
1984 6-3
1985 6-2
1986 4-4
1987 5-3
1988 5-3
1989 3-4
1990 1-7
1991 5-3
1992 5-3
1993 5-3
1994 7-1
1995 4-4
1996 4-4
1997 5-3
1998 1-1
1999 5-3
2000 4-4
2001 5-3
2002 4-4
2003 7-1
2004 3-4
2005 2-5
* All-time:
129-110
Jazz Training Camp Roster
Player Pos Ht Wt PPG RPG DOB School/Country Yrs
* RAFAEL ARAUJO C 6-11 275 2.3 2.8 8/12/80 BYU 2
Started 75 games in Toronto, but averaged only 12.0 minutes
* CARLOS BOOZER F 6-9 258 16.3 8.6 11/20/81 Duke 4
Sat out 80 games over two seasons, but played final 33 last year
* RONNIE BREWER G 6-7 220 NA NA 3/20/85 Arkansas R
Son of former pro, he is expected to add on-ball defense
* DEE BROWN G 6-0 185 NA NA 3/20/85 Illinois R
Second-round pick won Cousy Award as top NCAA point guard
* JARRON COLLINS C 6-11 255 5.3 4.2 12/2/78 Stanford 5
41 starts were fourth on Jazz, so he signed new two-year deal
* BRIAN CHASE G 5-9 175 NA NA 10/8/81 Virginia Tech R
Hokies' all-time three-point leader made good impression in Revue
* DEREK FISHER G 6-1 205 13.3 2.6 8/9/74 Ark.-Little Rock 10
A heady leader, durable too: Hasn't missed a game 3 of last 4 years
* HIRAM FULLER F 6-9 270 NA NA 5/13/81 Fresno State 1
Played four games for Hawks in '04, cut in camp last year by Wizards
* GORDAN GIRICEK G 6-5 210 10.6 1.9 6/20/77 Croatia 4
Didn't play after January due to Achilles injury
* MATT HARPRING F 6-7 231 12.5 5.2 5/31/76 Georgia Tech 8
For first time in 3 years, spent summer practicing, not healing
* ANDREI KIRILENKO F 6-9 225 15.3 8.0 2/18/81 Russia 5
Led NBA in total blocks, named to All-Defensive Team
* C.J. MILES G 6-6 210 3.4 1.7 3/18/87 Skyline (Texas) 1
Set career highs in points, assists, rebounds in season's final game
* PAUL MILLSAP F 6-8 245 NA NA 2/10/85 Louisiana Tech R
Only player to lead NCAA in rebounding 3 straight years
* MEHMET OKUR F/C 6-11 249 18.0 9.1 5/26/79 Turkey 4
Set new career highs in every major category last year
* ROGER POWELL F 6-6 235 NA NA 1/15/83 Illinois R
CBA Rookie of the Year averaged 21.1 points in Rockford
* TYLER SMITH F 6-8 230 NA NA 1/7/80 Penn State R
Hustle player from a football school, he'll provide physical play in camp
* FRANS STEYN C 7-2 289 NA NA 7/19/82 Southwest Bap. R
Undrafted South African played sparingly at Oklahoma State, then transferred
* DERON WILLIAMS G 6-3 210 10.8 2.4 6/26/84 Illinois 1
Lived up to billing by making NBA All-Rookie Team
* Carlos Boozer
* Question to answer: Can he stay healthy and happy for an entire season?
His second season in Utah started the same way his first one ended - out of uniform. A training-camp hamstring injury sidelined him for four months. It didn't take long to remind the Jazz why they missed him, though: He scored 20 points eight times in 10 April games.
Jarron Collins
* Question to answer: Can he boost his shooting percentage closer to 50 percent?
Happy to make largely unnoticed contributions, Collins continues to thrive in Jerry Sloan's rigid system. He played more minutes per game than at any time during his career, and added a new trick to his repertoire: Drawing charges under the basket. The second-round pick signed on for two more years.
* * Personal note: Has a twin brother, Jason, who plays for the Nets.
Gordan Giricek
* Question to answer: Can he restore the reliability to his 18-foot jumper?
He's coming off his most disappointing season. His shooting percentages dropped to career-low levels, and his year abruptly ended with an Achilles injury in late January, but he reportedly is completely recovered.
Matt Harpring
* Question to answer: Can he carve out substantial minutes in Utah's crowded frontcourt?
He rushed back from offseason knee surgery, and though his scoring average was his lowest in four seasons with the Jazz, his game grew stronger as his leg did. A free agent over the summer, he signed a new four-year deal.
Andrei Kirilenko
* Question to answer: Did a summer of two-a-day practices improve his midrange jumper?
Early-season injuries contributed to a season-long shooting slump, though he did achieve the first two triple-doubles of his career. But his offensive frustration was offset by a tremendous season on defense, where he led the NBA in total blocks.
C.J. Miles
* Question to answer: Will he force the Jazz to play him a year or two earlier than planned?
He spent most of his rookie season as an 18-year-old spectator, but the Jazz were far from disappointed. A midseason stint in the D League helped him gain confidence, and it showed with a couple of decent performances in April.
Mehmet Okur
* Question to answer: If Boozer and Kirilenko stay healthy, can Okur live with sharing the ball?
The Jazz were fortunate that Okur's game kept developing, because he was Utah's only offensive threat through the season's first two months. The result: Career highs in scoring (18.0) and rebounding (9.1). He is also versatile enough to play center.
Deron Williams
* Question to answer: Will experience help him reduce his turnovers and increase his assists?
A six-week slump that began around Christmas got him down, but Williams rebounded after the All-Star break to reclaim his starting job and encourage Utah that he can handle the point-guard duties for years to come.
Where Are They Now?
* DEVIN BROWN - A disappointing free-agent signing, he was dealt to Golden State in Derek Fisher trade.
* KRIS HUMPHRIES - After two frustrating seasons, he was traded to Toronto for Rafael Araujo.
* KEITH McLEOD - Started 79 times in two seasons, then included in trade with Warriors.
* GREG OSTERTAG - Walked away from basketball after 11-year NBA career.
* ANDRE OWENS - Sent to Golden State in Fisher deal.
* MILT PALACIO - When Fisher arrived, he became expendable, and signed non-guaranteed one-year deal with Seattle.
* ROBERT WHALEY - Traded to Toronto, then cut; Jazz didn't invite him to camp, so he's looking for work.
NBA KEY DATES: Tuesday: Training camps open
* Oct. 31: Start of 2006-07 season
* Feb. 18: All-Star Game, Las Vegas
* Feb. 22: Trading deadline
* April 21: Playoffs begin
Jazz Tickets
* Utah Jazz ticket information can be found at * www.
utahjazz.com
or by calling (801) 355-DUNK (3865).
Jazz Preseason Schedule
* L.A. Lakers
* Oct. 10, 8 p.m.,
at Fresno, Calif.
* Preseason all-time: 6-3
* Jazz's first visit to central California
* Indiana
* Oct. 14, 5 p.m.,
at Indianapolis
* Preseason all-time: 6-10
* Five straight exhibition losses in Indiana
* Detroit
* Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m.,
at Auburn Hills, Mich.
* Preseason all-time: 3-2
* Utah swept Pistons during regular season
* Portland
* Oct. 19, 7 p.m.,
at the Delta Center
* Preseason all-time: 7-6
* Four-games-in-six-nights stretch starts with this game
* Sacramento
* Oct. 20, 8 p.m.,
at Sacramento
* Preseason all-time: 9-6
* Eric Musselman is new Kings coach
* Portland
* Oct. 23, 8 p.m.,
at Portland
* Preseason all-time: 7-6
* Went 4-0 against Blazers last season
* Denver
* Oct. 24, 7 p.m.,
at Denver
* Preseason all-time: 6-5
* Last preseason meeting: 1999 at lockout's end
Jazz's Training Camp Agenda
Eight-step program
What the Jazz must accomplish this training camp
ITEM 1: Narrow the roster quickly - In order to get the projected regulars in game shape, coach Jerry Sloan intends to give them more minutes than usual in the preseason, so non-roster players won't get much of a look.
ITEM 2: Pick a shooting guard - Gordan Giricek tops the depth chart at the moment, but he will probably get a strong challenge from rookie Ronnie Brewer, and perhaps even from 19-year-old C.J. Miles, too. It's by far the most unsettled position.
ITEM 3: Figure out Derek Fisher's role - He is projected as Deron Williams' backup, but the veteran has vowed to fight for starter's minutes. More intriguing to Sloan is the possibility that Fisher could play shooting guard, too, spotting up for three-pointers that will open up space in the paint.
ITEM 4: Learn to go center-free - A surplus of talented forwards (and a below-average corps of centers) makes it likely that Sloan will continue last spring's no-pivotman experiment and rely on Carlos Boozer or Mehmet Okur to handle the middle for long stretches.
ITEM 5: Evaluate the new, improved Andrei Kirilenko - The Russian has made it clear he wants his fair share of shots, and he spent his summer learning how to make them. Sloan must balance his star player's happiness with the good of the team.
ITEM 6: Sort out the forwards - They have four players who expect major minutes, and that's before they learn whether Paul Millsap is NBA-worthy. Defining everyone's role won't be easy.
ITEM 7: Humble the rookies - Notoriously hard on kids, Sloan nevertheless suspects Ronnie Brewer might force himself into the lineup this season. So the sooner the coach can instill an appropriate work ethic in this year's kids, the better.
ITEM 8: Stay healthy - Nobody has to remind Sloan that one awkward jump during last fall's final two-a-day practice cost the Jazz Carlos Boozer's services for four months.