Utah Jazz: Backup point guard contenders both look good

It was well-advertised that Ronnie Price vs. Brevin Knight for the backup point guard position would be a battle to watch during Jazz training camp and the preseason.

And so far the matchup has lived up to its billing — minor injuries for both notwithstanding.

Even after a week of camp and 2-of-7 exhibition games down, however, there have been not nearly enough early returns for Jazz coach Jerry Sloan to declare a winner.

"I haven't seen enough of them play," Sloan said prior to practice Friday.

"I don't know if (the decision) will be made for a while. We may go into the season with that. I'll just have to wait and see how things work out.

"I wish I could tell you day-to-day. I wish I could tell them day-to-day exactly what's going to happen," he added. "But I don't know exactly yet. We'll discuss it after watching films and stuff, and see what we think gives us the best chance."

It's believed that neither, at this point, has done anything to hurt his cause.

And Price — who started last season as the Jazz's No. 3 point guard, only to eventually win the No. 2 spot away from Jason Hart — evidently has done plenty to make a case for keeping his spot.

"Ronnie Price will give you an effort," said Sloan, who called the Utah Valley State product "a dependable person."

One way to get playing time for both may be to use Price — who missed Friday's practice due to a bruised lower right leg sustained in Thursday's preseason loss to Phoenix, and who is listed as "questionable" for Sunday's exhibition visit to Portland — more extensively at shooting guard, especially against smaller guard fronts.

The Jazz have toyed with just that this month, including using Price next to both Knight and starter Deron Williams.

Knight, for one, seems intrigued by the notion of the two playing together — even though he is not even 5-foot-10, and Price is listed at a rather generous 6-2.

"We have a good time, man. Me and Ronnie have a great relationship, I think," said Knight, who was acquired in a straight-up offseason trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Hart to bring steadiness and veteran experience to the Jazz's point guard position. "You know, whatever they ask of us to do we're gonna do.

"We know if we're out there, though, we have to be scrappy — because we're small."

Especially when weighed against second-unit personnel, Knight's quickness and savvy combined with Price's athleticism could make it tough for opposing coaches to counter.

"It can pose problems for other people," said Knight, who missed some time during the first week of camp due to tightness and muscle spasms in his lower back. "You know, the biggest thing is we just want to win games. Like I told you from Day 1, it wasn't going to be me vs. him."

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