This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Jazz small forward C.J. Miles is backing up his words.

Miles entered the offseason by declaring that this was the most important summer of his career. The Jazz picked up Miles' $3.7 million team option June 29, and the sixth-year player has responded by significantly slimming down through constant workouts.

Miles, 24, averaged career highs last year in points (12.8), rebounds (3.3) and minutes (25.2). His production dropped off during April, though, as he struggled with his shot and place on the team under first-year head coach Tyrone Corbin.

The 6-foot-6 Miles played with a recorded weight of 232 pounds last season. However, he appears to have lost a considerable amount of weight as he enters what could be his final year under contract with the Jazz. Miles has spent part of his summer running the court with Utah forward Paul Millsap and former Jazz guard Ronnie Price.Brian T. SmithTwitter: @tribjazzfacebook.com/tribjazz