coming in for 20-footers.

Harpring has yet to take part in a practice this preseason, but the Jazz forward said he is making progress in his recovery from an ankle infection.

"I'm getting better, which is important for me, important for my mental state," Harpring said, "because this has been a long process and you have to start seeing rewards for all the hard work you put into it."

Harpring still has little idea when he'll see game action, with the Jazz's opener less than a week away. He said two weeks ago he couldn't even pivot and run, but he has been able to do so recently.

"I can start seeing some improvement, which is good, and just keep going with what I'm doing," said Harpring, who missed the entire preseason last October recovering from knee surgery.

Almond update

If Harpring is out, Morris Almond could have a spot on the active roster for the opener. In the meantime, Almond is waiting to learn whether the Jazz will exercise the third-year option in his rookie contract by Oct. 31.

Almond would make $1.157 million in 2009-10 - less than a 7 percent raise from his salary this season - if the Jazz exercise the option. If not, he would become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Almond said he was trying to stay confident and that his second preseason has been easier than his first. "I feel a lot more at ease, a lot more comfortable on the floor knowing where I'm supposed to be," he said.

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said Almond has "improved in a lot of ways," but he continues to preach about the need for him to be more than a one-dimensional scorer.

"He's been a scorer all of his life, guys getting him the ball, and he's got to work to do other things other than just take shots," Sloan said, adding, "How do you analyze players? You look at 'What do you do to help your teammates?' "

Survey says

The annual NBA.com general manager survey was released Thursday, with the Jazz not receiving a single vote to win the NBA Finals or Western Conference despite being

the overwhelming pick (92.6 percent) to win the Northwest Division.

The L.A. Lakers were picked by nearly half of the general managers to win the championship. Mehmet Okur received votes as the player who does the most with least, Kyle Korver as the purest shooter, Harpring as the toughest player, Sloan as the best head coach and Corbin as the best assistant.

Briefly

Deron Williams will be featured on the cover of ESPN magazine's preview issue along with Chris Paul. . . . The Jazz cut Kevin Lyde and Gabe Muoneke, but kept Gerry McNamara with Williams injured.

. . . Jarron Collins (right triceps tendinitis) could practice today but without contact. . . . Kyrylo Fesenko was sick and sat out practice.

rsiler@sltrib.com