Jazz notes: Patrick Christopher settling in after NBA debut

Los Angeles • Patrick Christopher was feeling a little more comfortable as the Utah Jazz went through their morning shootaround Monday.

The 26-year-old rookie guard, after years of work overseas and in the D-League, finally knows what it's like to get into an NBA game, having made his regular season debut a few nights earlier.

And it didn't hurt that he was at home.

The El Segundo gym where the Jazz prepped for their matchup with the Clippers was the same place Christopher's AAU team practiced growing up in Compton.

"This is my backyard," he said.

The 6-foot-5 Christopher, who played at Dominguez High School in Compton, expected dozens of friends and family to be in attendance at Staples Center on Monday night, where he hoped to see playing time with Jazz shooting guard Alec Burks still sidelined by a shoulder injury.

The acquisition from D-League Iowa seems to have leapfrogged guards Ian Clark and Toure' Murry at the end of the Jazz bench, and Christopher said he's starting to find his way with his new team.

"It's a gradual process," he said. "Every day I'm trying to get in … with the coaches or some of the players and myself and I'm trying to watch stuff on film and get it down."

When he entered the game Saturday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, Christopher was surprised by his lack of nerves.

"I ran to the table as fast as I could," he said. "There's really no thinking from there. Just get out there, try to play hard and react."

He logged six minutes of action, recording a steal and missing his only attempt from the field. Afterward, it was an open shot the guard didn't take that drew criticism from Jazz coach Quin Snyder.

"On that possession, I didn't know if it was a bad shot," Christopher said. "I kicked it. Then I got it back and drove and made a pass. But I know now."

Basketball Don

Jazz fans weren't alone in delighting when they saw Hall of Famer John Stockton show up on their televisions this week, as part of a series of State Farm insurance spots, featuring basketball players and their imaginary twins.

In the ads, "Don Stockton" is the leader of the National Bureau of Assists, a group that included the fictional twins of NBA guards Chris Paul, Damian Lillard and Steph Curry.

"The person I'm sure I was probably the most excited about was John Stockton," Paul told the Los Angeles Times. "First of all, I have never seen him in a commercial, period. I think back to when I was a kid and he was playing, and I think even more so than the commercial spot, we literally talked the entire time we were on set, and just some of the knowledge that he passed on to me is invaluable."

Team first

Burks' left shoulder has kept him out of two straight games now and the Jazz continue to monitor the situation. But in the interim, Snyder said he was glad to have Burks travel with the team to Los Angeles this week, even if he cannot play.

"If he were able to get better physically not being here, that would be your preference. His health is first and foremost," Snyder said. "But all things being equal, particularly for us, to have him around the team [is important]. … I think we're going through such a learning process. We talked to him about not just being supportive of the group, but having a role, talking to [rookie Rodney Hood], paying attention and trying to get better even if he's not competing on the floor."

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Twitter: @tribjazz