O'Connor told them it was part of the Jr. Jazz program and would involve some travel. Brewer immediately flashed back to last season, when he drove an hour outside of town to make an appearance and got lost in a snowstorm on his way to the gym.

Millsap asked whether the two were getting paid. Only then did O'Connor break the news that the appearance was at the rookie/sophomore game during All-Star weekend in New Orleans and that both players had been selected to play.

"Going from last year, it's definitely an improvement for me," said Brewer, who played in only 56 games as a rookie. "That's the kind of improvements that I want to make and hopefully each year I can make that improvement."

Millsap, who played in the game last season, was looking forward to playing in front of friends and family in his native Louisiana. "I'm going to try to show [Brewer] the ropes," Millsap said. "[Deron Williams] showed me last year."

The Jazz were one of five teams to have two or more players selected for the Feb. 15 game, along with Memphis, Seattle, Toronto and Portland, evidence that their young players are well regarded around the league.

Brewer has started all 45 games this season but has become primarily a first- and third-quarter player since Kyle Korver's arrival. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan has used Korver in the second and fourth quarters and likes the dimension his shooting brings.

Asked about not playing Brewer in the fourth quarter, Sloan said: "I just think if you've got 20 minutes to play, put everything you've got into 20 minutes instead of looking for 40."

The coach added: "You've got to look back a year ago when he wasn't playing and try to move your career ahead."

Brewer wasn't about to complain with the Jazz having won five straight games and back into playoff position with the current rotation.

"In order for us to do that, for me to play in the first and third and provide a spark and energy," Brewer said, "and then Kyle to come in the second and fourth, I'm all about it. I want more minutes, but it's a coaches' decision and it's been working out for us so far."

HART OUT

Guard Jason Hart will miss his third consecutive game Wednesday against New York with a lower back injury. The Jazz said Hart will travel to this weekend's games at Washington and Memphis. Hart was not available for comment at shootaround.