The difference may determine a lot about their NBA careers - or whether they have one.

The Jazz rookies can look each other squarely in the eye, and though one is listed at 6-foot-8 and the other 6-6, any difference is difficult to notice. They have the same amount of NBA regular-season experience - none. They also have many of the same offensive traits - excellent post-up positioning and moves to the basket from the inside, plus a decent and gradually improving outside shot.

Yet for all their similarities, Millsap is considered a solid

power-forward prospect, with the

potential added bonus of

occasionally being able to swing over to the small-forward slot. Powell, however, is trying to fight off the stigma of the dreaded "tweener" - someone whose skills say power forward but whose body says otherwise.

"I can't worry about [being labeled]. I have to just show them on the floor what I can do," said Powell, who will get a chance to do so tonight when the Jazz open the preseason here against the Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m. MDT, no TV). "I have confidence that that's how I'll be judged."

The major difference between the two rookies is in their upper bodies, where Millsap's 20 or more extra pounds are evident. The added weight allows him to muscle aside players in pursuit of rebounds, a talent that defines the second-round draft pick.

Powell, on the other hand, appears far easier to dislodge from low-post position, particularly if matched up against a typically beefy NBA power forward. The free agent was at his best alongside fellow Jazz teammates Deron Williams and Dee Brown while at Illinois, where he could take advantage of the Illini's trio of All-America outside shooters (including Houston Rockets guard Luther Head) to establish himself as a punishing inside scorer.

Now he must reinvent himself to some extent if he is to survive the Jazz's late-October roster cuts. Powell's task: Convince Jazz coach Jerry Sloan he can pull up and nail 15-foot jump shots. And, oh yeah, guard some small forwards, too.

"One thing [the Jazz] told me they needed was someone to come out and just play defense," Powell said. "I'm trying to show I can guard just about anybody on the court. I know I can guard quicker players."

That's going to be important if the Jazz are going to trust him at a position manned by the likes of Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady around the league. Sloan said there may be moments when Powell would play the four, or power forward, position, but the three slot is far more likely. And the coach likes his chances so far.

"He's worked on his game. He seems to be able to shoot the ball better," Sloan said. "He keeps himself going pretty good. He'll fight you all day long."

Maybe it's from fighting that tweener label. Powell said he heard it after being passed over in the 2005 draft, and went to Seattle's training camp with the intent of shedding it.

"I got a lot of confidence last year because of a compliment I got from the general manager, Rick Sund," Powell said. "He told me that coming in to camp, they assumed I was a tweener, a guy that could only play the four but whose body meant he needed to play the three. When I left, he said, 'No, you're just a guy who can play both positions.' ''

The Sonics didn't have room for him, so Powell made himself rookie of the year in the CBA, averaging 21 points and 6.7 rebounds. He did enough there, and in the Rocky Mountain Revue, to convince the Jazz to offer him a contract, and even guarantee a small part of his salary. "They showed some faith in me," said Powell, who is an ordained Pentecostal minister. "That meant a lot."

Now, making the league means a lot. Sloan said he is intrigued enough by Powell's post-up moves, he even has considered trying him at shooting guard, in hopes of matching up against an opponent who can't guard him.

"Really, two-guard? Is that what Coach said?" Powell said of the idea. "I'll do whatever Coach says. The offense here gives me a good opportunity. I've been learning by watching Matt [Harpring], how to take advantage of things on the floor. I feel like it's making me better."

And giving him an identity, instead of a label? He might have already accomplished that in Sloan's eyes.

"People put on labels," the coach said. "But if you can play, you can play."

Briefly

The team will hold a public scrimmage Thursday night in the Delta Center at 7 p.m. The event is free to the public. . . . That scrimmage is the reason Sloan decided to hold off on making any initial cuts to his 18-man roster before tonight's preseason opener. "What happens if we get a couple of guys injured?" the coach explained. "We'll wait till we get through that."

pmiller@sltrib.com