Millsap 4th in most improved vote News Utah Jazz

Jazz backup power forward Paul Millsap finished fourth in voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, according to results released by the league Tuesday. Indiana's Danny Granger won with 364 of a possible 605 points, followed by New Jersey's Devin Harris (339). Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant was a distant third with 83 points, and Denver's Nene (58) was fifth. Millsap received 77 points ?

including three first-place votes, 13 second-place votes and 23 third-place votes ? from a panel of 121 sportswriters and broadcasters who regularly cover NBA teams. A second-round draft pick in 2006, Millsap made the NBA-minimum $797,581 last season ? but stands to make many millions as a restricted free agent this summer. Millsap, 24, averaged 13.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season ? including a stretch with 19 straight double-doubles while filling in as the replacement starter for injured Carlos Boozer. The Jazz will have the right to match any offer sheet Millsap signs once the league's shopping market opens late on June 30. Ronnie Brewer, the Jazz's starting shooting guard, received two third-place votes for the award. SUMMER PLAY: According to the Boston Globe, entries from Boston, Oklahoma City, Indiana, a combined New Jersey-Philadelphia team and host Orlando will join the Jazz at the Orlando Pro Summer League. The six-team, closed-to-the-public league runs from July 6-10, with each club expected to play five games. The Jazz previously announced they will not host their usual Rocky Mountain Revue this summer, and instead will travel to play in the Orlando event for the first time. Competition from a competing summer league in Las Vegas and an inability to secure commitments from enough teams was cited by the Jazz as reasons for canceling this year's Revue. Big man Kosta Koufos, a rookie this past season, and their selection with the No. 20 overall pick in next month's NBA Draft both are expected to play for Utah's entry in Orlando. SLOAN RECOVERING: Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is back home following a four-day hospital stay, but continues to recover from knee-replacement surgery performed April 30. It's still expected that Sloan fully intends to coach again next season, but because of the surgery he's been given extra time ? beyond the usual two weeks ? to formally notify the franchise of his plans. Things otherwise remain quiet for the Jazz , who like other teams around the league continue to focus primarily on prepping for the June 25 draft and the upcoming free-agency market. The team does not plan to hold its annual organizational planning meeting until sometime early next month, Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said Tuesday. E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com