Deron Williams News

NEW YORK ? Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is flustered by how easily some of his players get frustrated, especially when referee calls don't go their way.

For all the emphasis on defensive accountability this season, the Jazz issued a reminder Thursday night that they still can outgun a team at EnergySolutions Arena, even a Western Conference favorite like the San Antonio Spurs .

A pair of struggling teams tangle Monday in Madison Square Garden when the Utah Jazz open a four-game road trip against the New York Knicks.

Sean May runs over Ronnie Price, in NBA action, Utah Jazz vs. the Sacramento Kings, in Salt Lake City, Saturday, November 7, 2009 If the Utah Jazz didn't hit rock bottom Saturday night, they must certainly see it from here.

A year after they declined the third-year option in former first-round draft pick Morris Almond 's contract, the Jazz elected to continue their investment in center Kosta Koufos , exercising a $1.3 million option Friday to bring back Koufos for the 2010-11 season.

Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz are shooting for their first winning streak of the season, as they host the Sacramento Kings tonight at EnergySolutions Arena.

Writer's note: Every Monday and Friday, I will publish an edition of "Kleeman's Jump Hook ." Since my work concentrates on the teams in the Texas triangle, this column affords me the opportunity to examine the happenings in the rest of the NBA.

Carlos Boozer ended his slump with 27 points and 14 rebounds and the Utah Jazz snapped a two-game losing skid by beating the San Antonio Spurs 113-99 on Thursday night.

With a less-than-stellar 3-18 record in the back half of back-to-back sets last season, there's no doubt what the Jazz's mission in such situations - including tonight's visit to Dallas - will be this season.

The Mavericks are catching Utah in a good spot as the Jazz had to play at home Monday night against Houston.

Dirk Nowitzki scored a club-record 29 of his 40 points during a frantic fourth-quarter comeback and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 96-85 on Tuesday night.

So much for sweeping the Texas triple-header. So much for playing well at home, for that matter.

The way the Knicks have opened their season, the Jazz could be forgiven for feeling as if they hold a winning New York lottery ticket, not payable until June, of course.

A lifelong Jazz fan who lives in Cache Valley and runs the SLC Dunk blog -- he prefers to be known as Basketball John, unsure of what his employer's reaction would be to his activities -- has launched the Web site votederon.com. The site's mission is simply stated: "Ensuring the selection of Deron Williams to the NBA All-Star Game." Williams ...

Jekyll and Hyde ? not to be confused with Gerry and Lyde ? were not players on the Utah Jazz roster last season.

Paul Millsap scored 17 of his 23 of his points in the second half, and the Utah Jazz used a 15-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 111-98 on Friday night.

After watching him open 1-for-11 and wind up shooting 3-for-14 in Wednesday night's season-opening loss at Denver, Deron Williams' advice to Carlos Boozer would be to simply shake it off.

Blizzard? Seemed more like a drizzle to the powder-blue thousands who weathered the weather to arrive at the Pepsi Center on Wednesday.

DENVER - Carmelo Anthony had a game-best 30 points and rookie Ty Lawson scored seven of his 17 points in a pivotal fourth-quarter run, lifting the Denver Nuggets to a season-opening 114-105 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

The Utah Jazz are about to find out if they're a contender or just really expensive.