Los Angeles » His left knee still is not 100 percent, as Kyle Korver acknowledged Monday, but that is only part of the explanation as to why Korver's role has all but vanished in recent games.
Korver has not played in two of the Jazz's last three games and appears to be the odd man out of coach Jerry Sloan 's rotation of wing players despite shooting 61.8 percent from three-point range.
Sloan said that Korver suffered an unquestioned setback with the knee injury he battled through the preseason and the 27 games he ultimately missed after undergoing surgery
Asked Monday about Korver's recently decreased minutes, Sloan said: "They decreased when we started the season. He wasn't there."
Sloan also voiced concerns about Korver's defense related to his knee. "He still shoots the ball very well," Sloan said, "but it makes it difficult for us to try to put a guy out just to experiment to see where we are and see where he is."
In addition, Andrei Kirilenko 's resurgence and undrafted rookie Wesley Matthews ' impressive play only have made it more difficult for Sloan to spread minutes among his wings, a group that also includes Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Miles .
"Nobody told me that Wes Matthews was going to want some time," Sloan said, comparing Matthews' arrival to Shandon Anderson 's in 1996.
For his part, Korver isn't about to complain about his role with the Jazz riding an eight-game winning streak. He will return to the Peak Performance Project training center in Santa Barbara, Calif., over the All-Star break and continue to rehab his knee.
"We've won how many games in a row?" Korver said, adding, "I'm just going to keep on staying after practice and make sure I stay in shape and try to get better. I've got time to work on my game and get my leg stronger, so just do that."
Vacation plans
Carlos Boozer again was passed over for the All-Star Game as NBA commissioner David Stern named Clippers center Chris Kaman on Monday as the replacement for injured Portland guard Brandon Roy .
Before the announcement was made, Boozer said it would be an honor to be selected, but added, "If not, then I'll go to Cabo and have some fish tacos." Boozer will vacation in Mexico over the All-Star break.
Kaman has averaged 20.2 points and 9.0 rebounds, but for a Clippers team that has sunk to 21-29. Boozer is averaging 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds for a 31-18 Jazz team that has gone 12-1 in rising to third in the Western Conference.
"I think [Boozer] should be in," Deron Williams said before Kaman's selection was announced. "Personally, I don't see who else could make it over him."
Williams added that the Jazz's record should help Boozer's case, saying, "They usually take a couple guys off the top couple teams."
The conference-leading Lakers will be represented by two All-Stars in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol as will be No. 2 Denver with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups . The Jazz, however, will have just one All-Star in Williams.
Boozer's chances might have been hurt by the three games he missed with a strained calf before returning Saturday.
