SALT LAKE CITY — Small forward C.J. Miles started last Thursday for the Jazz, as he has for the past five games since reclaiming his starting job following preseason thumb surgery.
But he didn't finish in a one-point loss to Oklahoma City, instead watching while subs Ronnie Price, Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Millsap and rookie Wesley Matthews all played five-plus minutes in the fourth quarter.
Afterward, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was blunt as can be when asked about Miles' 1-for-5 field-goal shooting and – in essence – why he sat.
Confidence issues evidently continue to plague the 22-year-old fifth-season pro.
"He gets down on himself so easily," Sloan said. "He feels like the world's against him. Well, you know, when you play in (the NBA) there's 29 teams against you.
"But you have to sometimes compete against your own teammates to get a job, and that's the tough part of this business. You've got to learn how to do that."
Miles acknowledged confidence woes have been "a little bit" problematic.
"Of course shooting the ball has a lot to do with confidence, and having a couple bad games, you press a little bit," he said.
"I had a decent one (Wednesday at Minnesota, hitting 6-of-12), and was kind of feeling good. And then I was shooting the ball (Thursday) the same way I was (Wednesday). I even came on the early bus (to the arena) to get extra shots, just to make sure I could get all the kinks out. And I shoot it fine. Then I get in the game and shoot it the same way, and it just wouldn't go in.
"So," Miles added, "I've just got to find more ways to make the game a little bit easier on myself."
Miles doesn't think the inconsistency is related to a wrap he's wearing following surgery to repair a ruptured shooting-thumb ligament.
"Because I shot as good as I've ever shot before with it," he said. "It's not like I'm missing bad. I'm right there. It just won't go in."
COMPETING LIKE CRAZY: Regarding Price and Matthews, who both had a rare chance to play all or most of the fourth, Sloan said, "They gave us some life, gave us some energy. It looked like they wanted to compete like crazy."
Like Miles, starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer also sat all of the fourth.
And starting power forward Carlos Boozer was limited to less than five minutes in the period, even without foul trouble.
"We had moments it looked like we didn't think we could win, didn't believe we could win. Then somebody else would pick it up and fight back," Sloan said. "That's why you've got to stay after it and give yourself a chance – and that's how you learn to be good, rather than just put numbers up."
DEADLINE LOOMING: If Matthews remains on the roster through the end of business Wednesday, his $457,588 salary for the season becomes fully guaranteed.
There's ample reason to suspect he'll be retained, as his salary is payroll friendly and - even after losing his starting job to Miles on a pre-Christmas trip - he's been a part of Sloan's regular rotation most of the season.
Others whose season salary becomes fully guaranteed if they make it through Wednesday's deadline include ex-Jazz big man Jarron Collins (expected to be retained by Phoenix at $1,181,803) and former Jazz guard Carlos Arroyo (making $1,107,572 if Miami keeps him).
NEUTRAL OPINION: He has no known bias.
But TNT analyst Charles Barkley did have a pointed opinion on the foul rookie referee Kane Fitzgerald called against Millsap in Oklahoma City, leading to Nick Collison's winning free throws with 4.5 seconds remaining.
"That's a terrible call," Barkley said.
"The players need to decide the game. I don't think you can make that call."
TWEET TWEET: Jazz point guard Deron Williams is passing the buck on fielding Twitter complaints.
Tweeted Williams from Oklahoma City: "Just landed in OKC. ... Follow @GregInUtah CEO of the jazz! He needs some followers and u can vent to him instead of me ; )" That's right: Jazz CEO/auto dealership boss Greg Miller now has a Twitter account, GregInUtah.
Recent entries include direct quotes from Sloan's locker room halftime talk with his team, tales of a cross-country drive this week and this Christmas Eve dandy: "I dropped my van off at our Ford store for service earlier today and they loaned me a Taurus. This car is amazing."
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