Price's injury still a pain in the foot News Utah Jazz

It could be days. It could be weeks. Ronnie Price just doesn't know how long it will be before he can return from a toe/foot injury that's already cost him nine straight games and nearly three weeks. "I'm able to jog now, which is a huge night-and-day thing from what I was able to do before," the Jazz combo guard said before Saturday's game against Portland.

"It's not going fast enough for me, but it is moving." Price said his injury actually is in his foot underneath his big left toe, and not to the toe itself. The Utah Valley product said his progress is about "50 percent" from the time of the injury, which occurred Nov. 9 at New York. "Every time I walk or plant, I touch it," he said. "That's why it's been kind of a pain, because I do feel it when I walk." Price suggested he isn't sure if he'll do court work this week or not. MILES UPDATE: Jazz swingman C.J. Miles plans to practice in full sometime early this week for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his shooting thumb, and making ? if all goes well ? a return Friday vs. Indiana a possibility. But Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is counting on nothing. "I can't worry about those guys," Sloan said Saturday. "I have to be honest about it. I said it in the beginning: I want them to come back as quick as they can ... but there's nothing I can do about it. "We thought (shooting guard) Kyle Korver would be farther along," he added, "just to give you an example ... and you say, 'It doesn't work that way.' So you've got to get ready to play and coach the guys who are here." Korver, who like Miles has missed all 16 games this season, had hoped to return already following arthroscopic knee surgery. "Hopefully it works out ... because if (Miles) comes back and Kyle comes back then maybe that makes our bench stronger or that makes our starting lineup much better," Sloan said. "I don't know what we'll do right off the bat, but ... I think we'll be pretty good if we can get everybody healthy and keep 'em healthy. But that doesn't (necessarily) work that way." BOOZER'S WORLD: Jazz point guard Deron Williams plans on playing. But power forward Carlos Boozer, a two-time member of the United States Olympic Team, isn't sure if he'll head to Turkey with USA Basketball for next summer's FIBA World Championships. "I told them if they needed me I'd be there," Boozer said. "If not, I'll enjoy my summer. But I told them I'd be honored to wear 'USA' again, so it's up to them." Boozer indicated his impending free agency wouldn't get in the way of going should the call come. The two-time NBA All-Star played sparingly during last summer's Olympics at China, but his college coach ? Duke's Mike Krzyzewski ? will again oversee Team USA in 2010. "If I didn't get a chance to go, I wouldn't be disappointed at all," Boozer said. "You know, I had two great experiences finishing up with the '08 gold in Beijing ? so I'm proud of what I was able to do for my country." GIVEAWAY: Williams is celebrating Christmas with a daily gift giveaway from Dec. 1 until Dec. 25. Prizes include items from his corporate sponsors and from Williams himself ? Skullcandy headphones, Rockwell watches, glaceau vitaminwater gift baskets, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse gift certificates, Nike products, Point of Hope foundation merchandise and Jazz game tickets. Fans must be at least 18 years old and can register at www .deronwilliams.com. HE SAID IT: Jazz forward Paul Millsap, before his first regular-season game against Portland since the Trail Blazers signed the then-restricted free agent to a four-year, $32 million offer sheet in July: "Deep down, I knew (the Jazz would match). Kind of knew it." e-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com

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