This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A second unit that was previously one of the strongest attributes of the Jazz this season is searching for a new rhythm.
While everyone from Mehmet Okur and Earl Watson to C.J. Miles and Gordon Hayward made significant contributions for Utah on Monday night during a 96-91 home defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers, several key reserves acknowledged Tuesday that the team's bench has recently lacked the smoothness and sharpness that characterized its play during the first 26 games of the season.
The primary factor is the return of Okur, a veteran center who made his season debut Dec. 17 against New Orleans after recovering from Achilles tendon surgery. The reserve big man played two games, then missed two more while dealing with an ankle injury. Tuesday marked his return to the lineup, and he easily played his best and most confident ball of the season, recording six points on 3-of-6 shooting and five rebounds.
"Last time I came back, it was completely different for me, because I didn't have any confidence," Okur said. "I didn't know what to do out there."
By attempting to work Okur into the second rotation during the middle of the season, the Jazz have been forced to experiment with new lineups during crucial moments of close games. Utah coach Jerry Sloan said that he is still basing his rotation off matchups rather relying upon a set list of names. But as the Jazz experiment with different looks, Miles acknowledged that Utah will likely have to deal with short-term roadblocks before long-term success arrives.
Road warriors
Before the season started, Jazz guard Deron Williams acknowledged that he was not fond of playing on the road, primarily because he becomes bored and runs out of things to do.
Thirty-one games into the 2010-11 campaign, Williams is looking forward to hitting the human highway once again, as Utah prepares to take on the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers during back-to-back nights. Moreover, he believes that the Jazz have suddenly evolved into a better and more focused team when playing away from EnergySolutions Arena than inside it.
Out, in
Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko (lower back strain) did not practice Tuesday and is doubtful for a game Wednesday night against the Clippers. However, he will travel with Utah during its road trip.
Williams (sprained right wrist) practiced Tuesday and is expected to play versus Los Angeles.