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The moment should be now for C.J. Miles. And with the flick of a mental switch, it soon could be.

But after a summer of preparation and 12 days of preseason practice, Miles appears to be stuck in neutral — with a soft lean toward regression.

The sixth-year Utah Jazz swingman's temporary midcareer malaise was evident Thursday during his team's 100-96 preseason home victory against Portland.

Rookies Gordon Hayward and Jeremy Evans, as well as reserves Ronnie Price and Kyrylo Fesenko, were on the court early in the second quarter. At the same time, Miles was walking off — head shaking and pointed downward, shoulders slumped.

After coming off the bench with 5 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first period to replace starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko, Miles clocked a stretch of 8:39. He scored four points and grabbed one rebound during the run. But he also recorded as many fouls as points and often looked out of synch.

The No. 34 overall selection of the 2005 NBA Draft acknowledged Friday that after nearly two weeks of workouts, he is still pressing. Despite having a conversation a week ago with Utah coach Jerry Sloan about trying too hard and, in turn, falling out of rhythm. Despite spending all week playing down a sprained wrist with casual smooth talk.

"I do it every year," said Miles, prior to a workout at the team's practice facility. "I want to play well so bad, I think it just starts to become thinking it instead of just playing it. I've been like that since I've been here. It's a habit. I know that coming into it, and I still do it."

The drive behind Miles' recent sputter began during the 2010 playoffs. He averaged postseason career highs with 14.4 points, 2.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds, while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor in 10 games — all starts. But the sudden ascension created higher-than-normal expectations for the Jazz lifer who has yet to carve out a consistent role in the league.

Thus, Miles came into 2010-11 thinking this would be his year. And it still could be. But when rookies such as Hayward and Evans are collecting more court time and points than Miles, even he knows that a change has to be made.

Miles said he is at his best when he turns his mind off — when he simply goes to work and plays basketball. After five years of absorption, he fully understands the Jazz's system. But as soon as he overthinks, his own system falls apart.

"It's up to him. He's got to be the guy. He knows whether he's performing well or not," Sloan said. "I have to make a decision based on what we need. He's got tremendous skills. He has to be able to use it to help us win."

Despite Miles' initial struggles, Utah starting point guard Deron Williams said he stands behind his teammate, referring to Miles as a "weapon."

"I think he's fine," Williams said. "I think he played in a second group that didn't know what they were doing."

That second group could be an answer for Miles.

Raja Bell received the starting nod at shooting guard against the Blazers, sending Miles to the bench. But if Bell, Kirilenko and Paul Millsap remain in the first rotation — Williams and Al Jefferson are locks — a second unit that blew an 18-point lead will need a leader, scorer and veteran while Earl Watson adapts and Mehmet Okur recovers.

Miles is open to the change.

"I definitely believe I can do it," Miles said. "I like the situation, actually, coming off, being with them. Because it allows me to be able to try to make plays. Not necessarily shooting the basketball, scoring. But just being aggressive and making plays — being able to show the things that I can do."

The Jazz know what Miles can do. Now they just need him to do it.

bsmith@sltrib.com Twitter: @tribjazz —

Sluggish start

C.J. Miles' line from Thursday's exhibition opener:

Minutes • 14:39

Points • 7

Shooting • 2-of-4

Fouls • 4

Rebounds • 1

Assists • 1

Turnovers • 2 —

Up next

P Utah at Portland Monday, 7 p.m., no TV