As easy as counting from 1 to 15 on the practice court, the Jazz could celebrate a significant milestone Friday morning.
For the first time in an injury-ravaged season, the Jazz had their full roster go through practice, including Carlos Boozer, who made his return six weeks after undergoing surgery Jan. 9 on his left knee. "First day back in a long time, so I'm looking forward to it," Boozer said. "I'm going to try to do as much as I can and see how it feels and take it one step at a time."
The Jazz and Boozer agreed he would go through at least two practices before seeing game action. He has been ruled out of tonight's game against New Orleans, but could play Monday as the Jazz host Atlanta.
Simply having 15 players available for practice Friday -- the team worked out before hearing the news that Jazz owner Larry H. Miller had died -- might have been even more impressive than Thursday night's victory over the defending champion Boston Celtics, the Jazz's sixth win in their last seven games.
Starting the very first day of training camp -- Sept. 30 in Boise, Idaho -- the Jazz had not practiced once at full strength.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, who has been mixing and matching lineups all season to compensate for all the absences, noticed the difference immediately.
"I just thought, 'Boy, this building got small quick,' '' Sloan said. "We had 15 guys out there running, stretching. It looked good."
rsiler@sltrib.com
