Utah Jazz: 10 Jazzmen whose numbers should at least be considered for retirement
By Ryan Aston
Paul Millsap (No. 24)
If not for the presence of Boozer on the roster on the roster for the first several years of his career, there’s no telling what Paul Millsap could have accomplished during his time with the Jazz.
Even so, he was a no-nonsense player with a humble approach and a unique motor who exemplified Jazz DNA for the brunt of his seven-year stay in Salt Lake City.
Millsap was another guy who hit pay dirt in the league despite his status as a second-round pick. And while his reputation coming out of college was that of a rebounder and a defender, he proved to be so much more in the end. Sure, his best years came in Atlanta, but he built the foundation with the Jazz.
In 540 games with the club, he averaged 16 points, nine boards and over a steal and a block per 36 minutes. Given the minutes he missed out on while playing behind Boozer, that per 36 measurement is a far better evaluation of his contributions than the basic box scores. And, really, much of the positive impact made by his hustle is incalculable numerically.
He’s currently eighth in Jazz history in steals and blocks and 10th in rebounds.
Also — he was the architect of the “Miracle in Miami,” which, for my money, is still the greatest comeback win the Jazz have ever captured.