On the near court, Jerry Sloan stood praising his backup point guard, talking about his contributions, though they were nearly invisible on the stat sheet, to the Jazz's cause in the past two games, implying that they embodied the selfless team effort the old coach preaches and admires.
"Ronnie's made a couple of great plays," he said.
Sloan also lauded his bench, the fact that guys who don't always know exactly when they're going to enter a game, or how they'll be used, or for how long, can be ready to step in and help out in whatever way needed.
"It's a difficult task," he said.
But it was one of the essentials the Jazz successfully pulled off in tying their second-round series with the Lakers at 2-all. In Sunday's game, the Jazz bench outscored the Lakers' reserves 39-16.
"Our bench was phenomenal," said Carlos Boozer. "When they play like that, we can beat anybody."
The Jazz had six players finish in double figures and two more scored 17 points between them in Game 4 at home. Their collective push on the road is significant heading into Wednesday's Game 5 at Staples Center.
"Our bench stepped up and provided with a lot of scoring and a lot of energy [on Sunday]," Deron Williams said. "We need to take that to L.A. We are confident now, but we still need to prove we can win on the road."
Can they do it?
"What do you want me to say . . . no?" laughed Kyle Korver, who hit some key shots and free throws in Game 4, scoring 14 points.
"One of the strengths of this team all year has been the depth," he said. "We have a lot of guys who can play. We're confident when we're out there. We have our two best players, Deron and Carlos, but the way our offense is set up, we use everybody. We don't have anyone doing nothing. When we do that, and involve everyone, that's when we play our best."
On Sunday, the Jazz shot 53 percent and totaled 32 assists.
"We've learned our lessons," said Matt Harpring. "We've become a smarter team by experiencing the playoffs last year and this year. Look at a team like San Antonio. To win it all, we have to get everyone involved. When we do that, we're a great team."
Added Ronnie Brewer: "When the second team comes in, whether we're ahead or behind, whatever they contribute, that's how the game's going to turn out. So, what they do is very important. We have to have them."
Coming off the bench requires a transformed mind-set, Brewer said: "It's a game of rhythm, so you have to be ready."
Harpring said he prefers shooting a layup in his first attempt, just to meld into a game's flow, but that option isn't always available.
"It's difficult, not having a chance to get any practice shots," he said. "You just come in and have to be ready to go. It's focus. You have to be mentally prepared to go straight in and do whatever needs to be done."
For Price, on Sunday, that whatever included not only taking a hard hit from Turiaf, and getting stitches in his head after it bounced off the court, but also returning to make the play of the game, furiously running the floor to block Luke Walton's breakaway layup from behind.
"We need everybody," Sloan said.
In a league dominated by big-time players, it's refreshing to see in the Jazz an old-fashioned notion of team - from starters and stars to reserves and role players. Everybody's in. Everybody's needed.
Including a guy like Ronnie Price, who on Monday morning knew he, just like all the others, was an important part of a team in a battle for its playoff life.
---
* GORDON MONSON hosts "The Big Show" weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 1280 AM The Zone. He can be reached at gmonson@sltrib.com.
