It was hardly the way Brewer wanted to lead into the Rocky Mountain Revue. Not with the 22-year-old guard set to be liberated from the bench after a rookie season in which he sniffed the court in only 56 regular-season games.

The hope is Brewer won't miss any summer games, which begin Friday, although he could sit out practice this week. After all, Brewer has perhaps the most to gain - and prove - of any Jazz player in the summer league, especially with a crush of players at his position.

In recent weeks, Brewer has watched the Jazz draft Morris Almond and target free agent Morris Peterson. The team could have as many as five shooting guards on the roster, depending on what happens with Peterson and C.J. Miles.

"You can't really worry about any of the management because you're not the general manager nor the owner,'' Brewer said. "All you can worry about is what you can do to better yourself as a person, as a player, and what you can do to help this team out.

"Whenever you focus on that, that's when you become a better player, and I think I've been trying to do that this offseason."

Where Brewer will find his niche could be answered in the Revue. Since the Jazz were eliminated from the playoffs, Brewer has worked on his shooting and getting stronger. He also has tried to bolster his confidence after it admittedly sagged at times last season.

"I'm definitely going to be more aggressive because I think this team is going to need it in the summer league,'' Brewer said. "But just try to play strong, play solid, not make a lot of mistakes and be aggressive."

The Jazz will play Brewer and Almond at times together in the same lineup, with one at shooting guard and the other at small forward. It won't be their first time as teammates, having played in the Global Games together after high school.

"We both are perimeter players, but we have our differences,'' Almond said. "Ronnie is [6-foot-7], as athletic as they come, and gets to the basket, defensive stopper, and his potential is unlimited.

"My game, I use a lot of my IQ, I'm an outside shooter, moving without the ball, things like that. I think it'll be a really good complement."

Brewer impressed the coaching staff with the work he put into building his body this summer. The hamstring injury was a setback, however, with Brewer first suffering the mild strain during a camp at Arkansas.

The Jazz's expectations for Brewer are simply stated: "I think one of the things you're looking for is to see growth from last year,'' said assistant coach Tyrone Corbin.

That's defined as an improved feel for the game, an intensity on the court, and a commitment to run the floor hard and play inspired defense. For his part, Brewer said he no longer looks at himself as a rookie.

"You kind of know what's going to come, what they're throwing at you,'' Brewer said, "instead of being fresh out of water and really not knowing what to expect."

rsiler@sltrib.com