Utah Jazz’s Ronnie Price is a rare breed
Price is an undrafted small-college athlete who still has a rock on his shoulder, despite spending six seasons in the league. Forever a fighter, Price tears into opponents, acting and reacting as if he’s just one rash decision away from being forced to turn in his pro uniform and return to the small world where everything started.
“I didn’t know how good or what my role would ever be in the league,” Price, 27, said. “One thing that I have learned is … I’m just as good and talented as a lot of these guys.”
“What can I say about Ronnie Price? Nothing but good things,” Jefferson said. “He’s very smart. He [knows] any topic that comes up in this locker room — he can give his opinion about it and be real legit. He got a high IQ. I could see him being a head coach or a [general manager] one day.”
Lofty praise for a player who has averaged just 3.3 points, 1 rebound and 0.9 assists this season, missing 21 of the Jazz’s last 27 games due to a combination of foot, shin and calf injuries. It’ll likely be 22 of 28 by the time that Utah tips off Wednesday night against Denver, a contest that will end the Jazz’s disappointing 2010-11 season and possibly represent the final time that Price is associated with Utah in a box score.
“If he’s playing 20 minutes a night or not getting any time in a game, he’s coming into practice every day ready to work and ready to be a good teammate in the locker room,” Corbin said. “He’s been a tremendous asset for us the time he’s been here.”
The former Utah Valley State standout is set to make $1.3 million this season, and his current contract with the Jazz will expire by the time that the NBA is expected to enter a lengthy lockout. But Price will continue to represent Utah during labor negotiations even if he lacks a new deal. He respects the game and his teammates too much to leave his post during the most crucial situation that the league has faced in more than a decade.
“I want everyone to be on top of everything this summer, and I want to be able to help them with that,” Price said.
“Some players are lucky if they can play ’til they’re 35 years old. But after they’re 35, you’ve got another 40 years of your life to live,” Price said. “A lot of people aren’t fortunate enough to make $200 million in their career, to where they don’t have to worry about anything else. I’m always just trying to get better as a person. Not just a basketball player, but as a person, because I think life has more to offer than just the game of basketball.”
