25-year old Paul Millsap waited for his turn to start for a few years behind Carlos Boozer, so now he’s trying to make up for lost time. Millsap has started all 3 games for the Jazz so far this year and he is averaging 33.3 minutes, 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Millsap is also shooting 63.4% from the floor so far this year as he has been outstanding. Millsap is quickly making everyone forget all about Carlos Boozer in Salt Lake City.

29-year old small forward Andrei Kirilenko is still filling up the stat sheet when healthy for the Jazz. Kirilenko played in 58 games (35 starts) for the Jazz last season and he averaged 29.0 minutes, 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game. He has now played in 617 games (416 starts) in his nine years with the Jazz and he has averaged 30.8 minutes, 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.1 blocked shots per game. He is #8 all-time in games played in Jazz’ history. Kirilenko is also #7 in three pointers made (295), #6 in assists (1,929), #5 in steals (505) and #10 in points scored (8,567) in Jazz’ history. Look for him to add to his impressive career totals for the Jazz in 2010-11.

With Carlos Boozer likely to leave as a free agent over the summer, 25-year old Paul Millsap will likely move into the starting lineup for good. Millsap played in 82 games (8 starts) for the Jazz last season and he averaged 27.8 minutes, 11.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocked shots. Millsap has now played in 322 games (49 starts) in his four years with the Jazz and he has averaged 24.0 minutes, 9.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game. Look for Millsap to average at least 15 points and 9 rebounds per game and probably more starting in 2010-11 for the Jazz.

Deron Williams has been abusing Chauncey Billups and the Denver Nuggets in this series. In his two games so far, Williams is averaging 42.5 minutes, 29.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 12.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He is shooting 51.7% from the floor and 50% from behind the three point line so far! Williams just seems to big for Billups to handle and the Jazz will be sure to keep exploiting that in this series.

Paul Millsap has been stepping it up lately for the Utah Jazz, especially on the glass.  Millsap has been a rebounding machine recently, and he proved that last night when he pulled down 24 rebounds in a win against the Golden State Warriors.  He also had 10 points and 3 assists.  Millsap has been playing great over the past seven games, averaging 13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.6 steals.  Millsap definitely has the ability to be a starter in this league, but the Jazz have an All-Star in Carlos Boozer in front of him, so he is one of the top front-court bench players in the league.  Boozer may be gone after this year though, so Millsap may be the starter next season for the Jazz.  Either way, Millsap has been a great asset for the Utah Jazz in his young career.  With his strength inside and his knack for the ball, Millsap will be a very valuable asset for the Jazz in the playoffs.

23-year old rookie shooting guard has really stepped up lately. In his last 18 games, Matthews is averaging 29.7 minutes, 12.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Matthews is also shooting 53.3% in his last 18 games giving the Jazz a huge offensive boost. Matthews has now played in 77 games (43 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 23.9 minutes, 9.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

Kyle Korver got a late start to the season but it hasn’t affected his shot this season as he is shooting 51.7% from the floor and a stunning 55.2% from three point range. Korver has played in 41 games (0 starts) this season for the Jazz in which he is averaging 17.0 minutes, 7.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He is the Jazz’ secret weapon off the bench.

23-year old G/F C.J. Miles has really picked up his play as of late. In his last three games, Miles has averaged 35.0 minutes, 19.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Miles has now played in 52 games (18 starts) this season for the Jazz and he is averaging 22.3 minutes, 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. The Jazz will keep giving Miles big minutes if he continues to play at a high level.

Ever since Carlos Boozer joined the Utah Jazz in the 2004-’05 season, he has been one of the top power forwards in the game.  Boozer doesn’t have the best length or athleticism at his position, but he is a constant double-double threat and a good physical defender.  He basically will go for 20 points and 10 rebounds on almost every night.  This season has been no different, with Boozer averaging 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks.   He is also shooting a red-hot 55% from the field and 75% from the free throw line.  Boozer has been a great complement to point guard Deron Williams, and they have continued the Stockton-Malone tradition of the great point guard/power forward combination in Utah.  The Jazz have had a great season this year, and currently sit at the fourth spot in the Western Conference with a record of 44-24.  They are only 2.5 games out of the second spot, and six back of the first place Los Angeles Lakers.

25-year old power forward was excited when he got a huge offer sheet from the Portland Trailblazers last summer but the Jazz matched it. Now he is just biding him time as a backup until Carlos Boozer’s contract ends or he is traded. Millsap has played in 64 games (5 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 27.6 minutes, 11.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 blocked shots. Millsap is shooting an outstanding 55.9% from the floor this season for the Jazz. The Jazz know that Millsap will be a great player for them down the road and he is playing hard despite probably being disappointed with his amount of playing time this year.