RENO, Nev. -- Here are five observations of the Utah Jazz from preseason practice:

	DeShawn Stevenson has yet to prove he can play in the NBA.

1. Who isn't being considered at shooting guard? Officially, the battle for minutes is from among Calbert Cheaney, Matt Harpring and DeShawn Stevenson, but Andrei Kirilenko will probably play there some. Coach Jerry Sloan could go with a backcourt of John Stockton and Mark Jackson together. The Jazz still love the potential of Stevenson, who's 21 years old and early in his third season after jumping from high school, but they are also still waiting for him to fall in line with the team concept that has ruled under Sloan. "He's got to prove he's an NBA player, not an NBA talent," vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor said.

2. Signing Raul Lopez, even after his second serious knee injury, is a calculated gamble. For one thing, it's not our money if the point guard of the future turns out to be a money pit. For another, the Jazz had already made a sizeable investment -- the first-round pick spent 2001 -- and this was the only way to really protect the asset. By giving Lopez the guaranteed three-year deal, when it was under no obligation to do so, management was then able to dictate who would perform the surgery and oversee his rehabilitation. He will also be able to spend time around the team, even going on some trips despite being out for what would have been his rookie season, just to get a feel for NBA life and at least start his development in that area.

3. Karl Malone and John Stockton are still setting the pace for being in shape. As always.

4. Team officials are purposely staying away from putting a timeline on the return of first-round pick Curtis Borchardt, not wanting to make it seem as if Borchardt had a setback if he didn't hit the target. Maybe December. Maybe January. Maybe February. They're stressing the big picture after Borchardt didn't even make it to the first summer league game before re-injuring his foot, saying they would be happy if Borchardt is averaging 25 minutes a game in a year and trying to use this season for baby steps.

5. Two of the most-improved players in camp are at center, Jarron Collins and John Amaechi. This is especially good news for a franchise that has been searching for an answer there for years.

Scott Howard-Cooper, who covers the NBA for the Sacramento Bee, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.