This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Jamaal Tinlsey made the cut.
The veteran point guard maintained his place on the Jazz's roster Wednesday, while four players — Paul Carter, Trey Gilder, Keith McLeod, Scottie Reynolds — were waived.
Utah's roster is set at 14.
Barring a last-minute change, Tinsley will open the 2011-12 regular season with the Jazz when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 27.
After Wednesday's cuts, the eight-year vet is one significant step closer to reaching his goal of returning to the NBA. Tinsley didn't play in the league in 2008-09 and 2010-11. He then spent November earning a paycheck with the NBA Development League's Los Angeles D-Fenders. Now the former Indiana Pacers star is five days away from again clocking time in The Association.
"Every day is a new day for me. I can always get better," Tinsley said. "I just come out here to practice every day and do the same thing I've been doing — working hard, competing, trying to help the Jazz, help my teammates, whatever it takes."
Big move
Utah power forward Derrick Favors started Wednesday against Portland during a preseason game at EnergySolutions Arena.
The 20-year-old big man replaced Paul Millsap, who missed his second consecutive contest due to right quadriceps tendinitis.
Asked if Favors is ready to consistently start in the NBA, Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin acknowledged the No. 3 overall pick of the 2010 draft is definitely getting closer.
"He's shown that he's explosive on both ends of the floor," Corbin said. "Whether he's ready for an entire season — the pounding and the consistent banging of playing 30-plus minutes a night — we'll see. He's still a young guy and there's a lot of room to grow. He has a tremendous upside. We'll play it by ear."
Corbin provided an even more interesting answer when discussing whether he can foresee Millsap — who played in and started 76 games for the Jazz in 2010-11 — at times not starting this season.
"We'll see," Corbin said. "There may be times when we start him and there may be times when we bring him off the bench. It depends on what matchups we have."
Briefly
Jazz General Manager Kevin O'Connor said Carter could land with the Idaho Stampede, Utah's D-League affiliate. … Corbin is closer to naming a team captain but doesn't have a set date to make the decision. He could choose multiple captains.
Twitter: @tribjazz
facebook.com/tribjazz