--Deron Williams still isn't sure about returning from a sprained left ankle Wednesday against Portland, but the Jazz guard was in a playful mood at Monday's shootaround. Two weeks after suffering the injury, Williams sounded as if he'd finally turned a corner. "Today is the first day that I've been able to walk on my ankle without it feeling like it's going to fall off," Williams said. He revealed that the biggest problem has not been the sprain itself, but a hematoma that pressed on the nerves in his left foot. His foot was so sensitive, even the slightest touch caused pain, said Williams, who won't be taping his ankle as a result. Williams also has changed anti-inflammatories, which has helped.
--Jerry Sloan was back coaching the Jazz after staying home from Saturday's game with the flu. It was only the second time in 21 seasons with the Jazz that Sloan has been too sick to coach. "I couldn't have done any good," Sloan said. He watched the Jazz's 101-79 victory over the Clippers on television and thought his team had good and bad moments. "Our defense wasn't the prettiest at times, especially in the first half," said Sloan, who was still credited with his 997th victory as Jazz coach. --Deron Williams sent Carmelo Anthony, his USA Basketball teammate, a text message as soon as he learned of the trade that brought Chauncey Billups to Denver for Allen Iverson. It said simply, "The Northwest got real," and Williams had to admit the Nuggets were stronger with the addition of Billups. "It definitely brings a different aspect to the game for them and something I think they need," Williams said.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We played as a team and that's going to win us games with or without him. We'd love to have him back and we can't wait to get him back, but guys are stepping up right now." -- Paul Millsap on playing -- and winning -- without Deron Williams.
