EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCameron Boozer, the Memphis Grizzlies' prized rookie power forward, began his NBA career with a bang. So did Darryn Peterson, the guard selected by the Utah Jazz one pick before Boozer near the top of the draft.On the opening possession of the Salt Lake City Summer League, Boozer caught the ball in the paint on a pick-and-roll, dropped a nifty pass to Memphis Grizzlies teammate Taylor Hendricks, who dished it right back. Boozer, the No. 3 pick in the draft, punctuated the play by throwing down a two-hand dunk over Oklahoma City's 7-foot-3 lottery pick Aday Mara.Peterson, the No. 2 pick, also scored on his first possession of NBA action. He opened the Jazz's game against the Atlanta Hawks by hunting a matchup against second-year big man Asa Newell and blowing by him for a crafty layup.Boozer and Peterson, who will face each other on Monday, both had impressive performances to lead their teams to victories in their summer debuts on Saturday afternoon.Peterson had 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting in 27 minutes in the Jazz's 103-102 overtime win over the Hawks. Boozer finished with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, four rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes during a 111-74 blowout win over the Thunder."It felt comfortable," Boozer said. "Obviously it's still an adjustment because going to a whole new team, whole new system, you got [only] one week of practice before playing. But I felt good, especially with this group. They're very easy to play with just because everyone's playing for each other, playing the right way. So I feel comfortable. Obviously there's a lot of learning to do still, but I feel good for sure."Several of the scouts in attendance at the University of Utah's Huntsman Center were especially impressed with Boozer's passing. Jazz scout Carlos Boozer sat courtside and soaked in the scene as a proud father, wearing a Grizzlies cap."Once they picked me, he was team Grizzly," Cameron Boozer joked.The Jazz front office considered Boozer worthy of being a No. 1 overall pick, but they selected Peterson over him because they believed the former Kansas guard had the highest ceiling in the draft. Jazz fans share that optimism, showering Peterson with MVP chants when he went to the line after an and-1 layup early in the second quarter."I've been training super hard and manifesting this game since my Kansas season ended. To get out there and finally put a jersey on and play again is great. Then on top of that, I've got "Jazz" across my chest. It's a huge honor and privilege."Peterson, playing much more point guard than he will while paired with Keyonte George in the backcourt during the season, criticized himself for committing eight turnovers."Today is a hard game to play in because of all the expectation and hype," Jazz coach Will Hardy said. "I thought he did a great job playing within the group. He was aggressive and picked his spots well. He's got a lot of work to do in a lot of areas to get better, but I know he's glad to get this one out of the way."
