National Basketball Association

Matthews shines in return to ESA

Published Oct. 8, 2010 10:41 a.m. ET

foxsports

Wesley Matthews was money in his return to Utah on Thursday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

A rookie starter for the Jazz last season, Matthews came off the Blazers' bench and scored a team-high 21 points in Utah's 100-96 preseason win over Portland.

During the offseason, Matthews signed a front-loaded $32.5 million offer sheet with the Trail Blazers, which the Jazz did not match.

Matthews was not selected in the 2009 draft, but made the Jazz roster and ended up as one of the most productive rookies in the league.

He averaged 9.4 points and 2.3 rebounds and shot 38.2 percent from the three-point line. Matthews says his best memory of playing in Utah was "beating Denver and going to the second round of the playoffs. That's something I'll never forget."

He also remembers Jan. 10, 2010, when his rookie contract became guaranteed for the rest of the season and "... it was official that I was an NBA player. And I'm always going to thank the Jazz for that."

Pausing briefly, Matthews added, "Some people may say that's phony and cheesy but, from the bottom of my heart, I'm not here today without Utah."

Since he plays the same position as Portland All-Star Brandon Roy , coach Nate McMillan will likely spend the preseason trying to refine Matthews' role for the coming season.

"Not worried about any of that," Matthews said, "if I go out there and do everything I'm supposed to during practice and off days and game nights."

First look

After nine days of training camp, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was anxious to see his players in a non-scrimmage situation.

"You are always concerned about how guys are going to react when you get in the game," Sloan said.

"... You go through practice and always have players who stick with what you're doing. Then, all of a sudden, the game starts and attitudes change and, if you have that, it's really mashed potatoes."

According to Sloan, the next 21/2 weeks will be dedicated toward getting his players familiar with each other and ready for the season opener at Denver on Oct. 27.

"You just try to keep working and working and working," Sloan said. "Our goal is to know what we're doing when we get out on the floor and be ready for that first game of the season. Those are the ones that count the most."

Still, Sloan wants the Jazz to get into the habit of winning.

"Obviously, we want to win," he said. "I think, when you step on the floor, you should have that attitude: play as hard as you can ... so you can stay on top of what you're trying to accomplish."

Elson sits out

Jazz center Francisco Elson suffered a strained right hamstring at the morning's shootaround and did not play against Portland.

Elson is a eight-year NBA veteran who was signed by the Jazz as a free agent in the offseason. He appeared in only 12 games for Milwaukee and Philadelphia last season, when he underwent surgery for a sports hernia on Jan. 29.

In 405 career games for six different teams, Elson averages 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds

luhm@sltrib.com