Brewer considers his number called - and he's thrilled

[RonnieBrewer (Reverse Layup)]

Brewer considers his number called - and he's thrilled
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
By Trent Toone
Standard-Examiner staff

SALT LAKE CITY -- The smile on Ronnie Brewer's face said everything he wasn't.
Although he was using cliche after cliche about helping the team and giving
110 percent, he was clearly thrilled to be named the starting shooting guard
for tonight's season opener at Golden State.

"You've got to be prepared whenever your number is called," Brewer said.

"That is what I've been trying to do the whole preseason -- have a strong
performance every time I step on the court."

Brewer, an athletic 6-foot-7 guard who played his college ball at Arkansas,
certainly filled the role during the preseason. The second-year man started
six of seven games, averaged 17.1 points and shot 60.5 percent from the field.
In Utah's third preseason game at Milwaukee, he scored 20 points in the four
quarter alone.

But Utah coach Jerry Sloan has made it crystal clear he wants more out of
Brewer than just scoring. If Brewer is going to make a name for himself in
the NBA, Sloan says, he must learn to rebound and play shut-down defense as
well. The Jazz coaching staff is tired of seeing opposing shooting guards go
off for 50 points a night.

"We need to stop people. That position takes a lot of work to be able to
defend. To be blessed with all that talent, I'm sure it would be a
disappointment to him to not use it to the fullest extent," Sloan said. 
"He's going to get an opportunity to play and see what he can do," Sloan said.

The Jazz obviously like Brewer's upside as they recently picked up the
2008-09 option season on his rookie contract, worth $2.717 million.

Brewer played in 56 games and even started 14 of those as a rookie. The
22-year-old is confident the experiences gained from his rookie season have
adequately primed him for the upcoming season.

"I went through a lot last year so I feel prepared for any challenges brought
upon me this year," said Brewer, the son of former NBA player Ron Brewer.

His teammates believe he is ready. Deron Williams said the team has a lot of
confidence in him right now.

"He is in a lot better shape, he's shooting the ball well and playing great
defense," Williams said. "He is just an overall better player this year."

Boozer called Brewer the best player on the team during the preseason.

"He should be the starter. I think he proved that," Boozer said.
"His potential is through the roof if you ask me."

Boozer said the two is one of the toughest positions in the league, but
believes Brewer is up for the challenge. It shows because of the hard work
he put in the off season, Boozer said.

Matt Harpring agrees.

"He's definitely earned it and hopefully he'll get better throughout the
year," Harpring said.

With Brewer starting, where does that leave other shooting guards like Gordan
Giricek, C.J. Miles and Morris Almond? Giricek is expected to come off the
bench in a similar role to what he played last year. Miles and Almond have
played minutes at the small forward with Harpring injured, but could find
themselves deep on the bench when he returns.


                                  http://www.standard.net/live/sports/117446 

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