Font ResizeSense a theme on Jazz coach Jerry Sloan 's part from Saturday's practice?
"We gave up 60 points in the first half and it was atrocious," Sloan said the morning after his team's 111-98 victory over the Clippers. "I mean, the mistakes that we made on the defensive end are like we'd never played together.
"I don't know if these guys are going to try to take their own initiative to do it the way they want to do it and be embarrassed with it or try to stick with what we're trying to do and get something out of it."
Two games into a season in which the Jazz have stressed defensive accountability, Sloan was just getting started Saturday.
"I was embarrassed for us the first half because we gave up 60 points," Sloan said, "and the way we gave it up after looking at the film is pretty revealing."
Then came the kicker in talking about defense: "I don't even know we could spell it, the way we looked, the situation we're in," Sloan said.
What especially infuriated Sloan were the easy baskets his team gave up on inbounds plays, including one in which Marcus Camby was left all alone, forcing Deron Williams to rush over to cover, leaving Baron Davis an uncontested layup.
"We have a simple way of trying to defend it," Sloan said. "We've never had a problem with it since I've been here. But we've given up more layups on out-of-bounds plays than any other time that I've been here, even when we
Even with Al Thornton and Camby struggling, the Clippers still scored 60 points in the opening 24 minutes. Chris Kaman , Eric Gordon and Davis all finished the half in double figures, with the Clippers running for 19 points on the fast break.
"It wasn't good at all," Williams said. "It's not what we really wanted to accomplish, but we're still getting used to things without some guys in here. It's early, so hopefully we can put a better effort Monday against Houston."
Okur returns
Mehmet Okur practiced in full Saturday after missing Friday's game with the mildly sprained left ankle and knee he suffered opening night. "I was close [to playing] and we just wanted to rest one night because I was having really tough time moving side to side," Okur said.
Briefly
With the Jazz canceling practice Thursday after their late arrival from Denver, Sloan will opt to hold practice both days this weekend. ... Although the Jazz have extended him the invitation to return as coach for a 23rd season in 2010-11, Sloan made clear that a contract extension is not a priority right now. "I don't even worry about when it gets done," he said. "Whatever time frame they have is fine."
