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Utah Jazz: John Stockton at Bucks Camp, Practice Notes

By Ryan Aston

Feb 18, 2016; Spokane, WA, USA; NBA all star John Stockton looks during the game between the Pacific Tigers and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Spokane, WA, USA; NBA all star John Stockton looks during the game between the Pacific Tigers and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Utah Jazz news, including John Stockton making an appearance at Milwaukee Bucks training camp, notes from Jazz practice and Mo Williams’ retirement.

Although fans along the Wasatch Front are wrapped up in the Utah Jazz, training camps are open across the NBA. In Milwaukee, the Bucks’ third-year coach and future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd is looking to get back to his winning ways after the team finished 33-49 last season.

Point guard play will be crucial to Milwaukee’s ability to get back to the playoffs this season. To that end, Kidd has invited one of the greatest to play the position to work with the team’s point guards during camp.

Namely Utah Jazz legend John Stockton.

Said Kidd: “If you want to help your guys at some of the positions, you find the best and I got very lucky John could join us these next couple days.”

Stockton has worked with several NBA players in the years since his retirement. According to Kidd, the NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals (for the record, Kidd is no. 2 in both categories) could definitely show a thing or two to Malcolm Brogdon and Matthew Dellavedova.

As for the team’s 6-foot-11 point guard convert Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kidd said, “We’ll see.”

Stockton’s work with the Bucks has also served as something of a Jazz reunion. Greg Foster, who was a rotation player for the Jazz teams that squared off with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals, is one of Kidd’s assistants.

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Jazz Practice Notes

According to KSL’s Andy Larsen, Derrick Favors has had an outstanding camp so far. At Utah Jazz Media Day, the seventh-year big man spoke about his desire to be a better leader for the team. Our own Jared Woodcox wrote about what Favors’ role will be in helping the Jazz accomplish their goals this season.

You can read Jared’s piece here.

About Favors, Jazz coach Quin Snyder said, “He’s been terrific. His attitude has been very, very, positive in a lot of situations.”

Snyder also made a point to single out the play of Joe Johnson in talking to the media. This is the third consecutive day he has done so. Johnson may not be the “Iso Joe” of his Atlanta days, but mark my words — he is going to have a big part to play for the Jazz this season.

Meanwhile, Quincy Ford was back at practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday evening’s session. The 6-foot-8 wing had suffered a blow to the head, but was quick to bounce back from his injury.

Mo Williams Retirement

Finally, I’d be remiss in my duty if I didn’t mention the retirement of former Jazz point guard Mo Williams earlier this week. After Williams quelled initial speculation about a possible retirement with a tweet last week, Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin told the media on Monday that he had since changed his mind.

Williams captured an NBA championship ring with the Cavs last season and represented the team in the All-Star Game in 2009. Over the course of a career spanning 13 years, Williams averaged 13.2 points and just under five assists per game and played for seven teams.

The 33-year-old was originally drafted by the Jazz in 2003. As a rookie, he was part of the 2003-04 Jazz squad that was predicted to finish dead-last in the West. Instead, the team finished 42-40 and missed the playoffs by just one game. It was considered by many to be one of Jerry Sloan’s finest coaching efforts.

For me, there’s no question that it was one of the more memorable seasons in team history.

Former Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor would later remark that allowing Williams to leave the team and sign with the aforementioned Bucks that summer was his biggest mistake.

Williams would return to the Jazz for one more season in 2012. In 46 games as the team’s starting point guard, he averaged 13 points and six assists per game. As was the case in his first stint with the organization, the Jazz narrowly missed the playoffs once again.

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