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After leaving Barcelona with an NBA dream in his head last summer, Tibor Pleiss found himself more often trekking around Boise, Idaho, as he put in his time in the D-League ranks.

The affable 7-footer, however, viewed his club's decision as an opportunity rather than a demotion

But as he hunkers down to prep for his second season in the States, Pleiss isn't angling to spend another year in the minors.

"No, no," the affable German said this week. "For me, last year was really good to get some experience to improve in the D-League, to get some playing time and get used to the American style of basketball. So it was really cool last year, but now I really want to attack and focus on [the NBA] next season."

To that end, Pleiss knows he has to start making his case now, and that he'll likely have to show a little more than he did in Monday's summer league opener in Salt Lake City. But after a 90-69 loss to the San Antonio Spurs to kick off the two-week exhibition season, the Jazz weren't rushing to judgment about anything.

"We can't judge the summer based off one game," Jazz assistant coach Johnnie Bryant said of the team's performance.

Pleiss opened up his summer campaign with a respectable, but somewhat unremarkable, line of seven points, four rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes on the court. He did all of his scoring in the second quarter: a tip-in putback got him on the board. Then Pleiss knocked down a 15-foot jumper from the left side and showed his range by knocking down a 3-pointer from the left angle.

Afterward, Pleiss said he felt fine with his performance but expected things to improve for him and his teammates as the newly assembled roster progresses through summer league play.

"For me, it was my first game now in three months. I think it was not too bad," Pleiss said. "I think we are together now for three or four days, so we are still improving as a team. … Everybody has to get used to their roles."

While others on the Jazz's summer roster are simply fighting for contracts next season, Pleiss' deal is secure. The 26-year-old was a piece in the trade that sent Enes Kanter to Oklahoma City and, after signing a deal to come to Utah last summer, he is set to make $3 million this season.

The question remains: where will he be spending most of his time?

Last season, Pleiss played all of 12 games with the Jazz. He played 28 games with the Idaho Stampede, meanwhile, and averaged better than 12 points and 10 rebounds a night.

Now, the Jazz have moved their minor league affiliate from Boise to Salt Lake. Still, Pleiss would prefer to find his niche as the smooth-shooting big man the Jazz would love to have backing up center Rudy Gobert.

Come training camp this fall, Pleiss will likely have to battle with Jeff Withey for minutes at backup center and said he hasn't had detailed discussions with Jazz management about his expected role next season.

"I didn't really talk about next year," Pleiss said. "We just talked about the situation right now."

Pleiss has spent the summer working out at the P3 sports training facility in Santa Barbara, Calif., and estimates he has added about 10 pounds of muscle to his frame.

"So I feel much stronger, more stable and after," he said.

Pleiss is still slow of foot and will have to add strength, especially to his lower body, to battle against NBA big men.

The center knows summer league will be important to his stock.

"It's a big chance for me to get a lot of playing time and prepare myself for next season."

He hopes it will be spent mostly in a Jazz jersey.

Twitter: @tribjazz —

Storylines

R Utah center Tibor Pleiss tallies seven points, four rebounds and one assist in a 90-69 summer league loss to San Antonio.

• After spending much of last season in the D-League, Pleis hopes to stick with the Jazz.

Tuesday's games 76ers vs. Spurs • 3 p.m.

Jazz vs. Celtics • 5 p.m.