One-on-One with Paul Millsap

[RonnieBrewer (Ronnie Brewer)]

One-on-One with Paul Millsap
By  Travis Heath
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Oct 27, 2006, 19:06
Last Updated:  Oct 28th, 2006 - 01:17:23

Paul Millsap is a soft spoken man of few words.  He's the prototypical
actions speak louder than words type.  So far this preseason, his actions
have been reaching decibel levels that few thought they could.  Still
skeptical?  Check out what Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan had to say
earlier this work about the second-round pick from Louisiana Tech after
his 10 point and 10 rebound performance against the Denver Nuggets.

"I think Millsap's played awfully well in the minutes I've played with him.
He steps out on the floor and we're still competing.  He does what he's
supposed to do.  He knows where he's supposed to go.  He's a very intelligent
player, and he seems to understand what his role and position is on the floor."

BNS's Travis Heath went one-on-one with the ruthless rebounder who may just
get a chance to crack Sloan's rotation as a rookie.

It's only preseason so far, but it's still been your first NBA experience.
Talk a little bit about what it's been like for you.

It's been rough, a little bit.  It's been rough and fun altogether, but I'm
trying to fight through it and get through this preseason.

What do you think of this Jazz team so far?  I know you've only been here
for a little while, but how good do you think this Jazz team can be?

I think we can be really good.  We've got the tools to do it.  We're still
in the process of trying to put everything together, get everybody playing
together on the same page.  Once we get that done we're going to be really
good.

For you personally, what expectations do you have for yourself this season?

For me, it's just getting out there and doing what I've been doing.  If I can
get out there and grab a couple of rebounds, a few points, a few steals than
I've done good.  That's all I want to do right now.

You said a couple of rebounds?  That's probably being a little modest.  You
led the NCAA in rebounds for three straight seasons.  You were the first
player to ever do that.  What is it you think makes you such a good rebounder?

My will and my desire to go after the ball.  Everybody doesn't go after the
ball every play.  That's what I try and do every play even when I'm tired,
just go get it.

Of course the comparisons come right away with you being from Louisiana Tech.
People think of a big guy -- kind of an underrated big guy -- and they say
Karl Malone.  Are you flattered by those comparisons, but maybe at the same
time do they put some extra pressure on you?

Not really.  I just try to go out there and be me.  Karl Malone is Karl Malone
and not me.  He's got a lot of accolades, a great player.  You know, hopefully
I can get to that level.

As a rookie now, your first season playing under Jerry Sloan a guy who is
known as a tough hard-nosed coach.  What has your experience been like
playing for him so far?

It's been fun.  It's a learning process for us.  He's a good teacher.
That's his main thing he's just trying to teach us before we get out there
and do things.  He's a good teacher and mentor for me.

A lot of times Utah's not looked at as a destination a lot of NBA players want
to go to.  What are your thoughts so far about Salt Lake City and the area?

It's a nice area, nice and quiet.  I'm not a big city type of guy so it's
really nice for me.  I don't know how everybody else feels, but it's a nice
play to go to just relax and chill out.

If you could advance some kind of prediction -- some guys are talking playoffs
-- do you think you guys are good enough to make a strong playoff run?

I think so, but I'm not going to jinx us or nothing like that!  Like I said,
once we put the pieces all together we're going to be really good.


Utah may have found themselves a second-round gem in Millsap.  It's not
often that Sloan feels confident in giving a rookie big minutes, but Millsap
very well could be the exception to this rule.  There's always room on the
floor for a player who does the little things and doesn't need a whole lot
of touches on the offensive end.  Besides, if Millsap isn't getting enough
touches, he'll just go grab himself an offensive rebound and stick it back
in for two.  The rest of the league may not know much about Millsap now, but
don't be surprised if more-and-more people start talking about him as the
season progresses.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_19138.shtml

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