Millsap will be remembered as an all-time fan favorite in Utah. The Utah Jazz drafted Millsap 47th overall in 2006. He instantly exceeded expectations as a rookie, playing in all 82 games and averaging 18 minutes per game despite being a second-round pick on a team with a packed frontcourt that included Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko, and Matt Harpring. He earned the All-Rookie team that season, demonstrating to Coach Jerry Sloan that he belonged in the lineup.
The versatile forward continued shocking the league. By the end of his seven-season career with the Utah Jazz, he had advanced to the position of starter and near-all-star. Millsap left his impact on the Utah Jazz record book. Millsap is the eighth best player in the Jazz franchise in terms of blocks, steals, rebounds, and points.
Millsaps’ best moments with the Utah Jazz include his putback dunk with 2 seconds left to force overtime against the Mavericks in 2012, as well as the 2010 ‘Miracle in Miami,’ in which Millsap hit three straight three-pointers and a buzzer-beating putback, scoring 11 points in 28 seconds to save the game for the Jazz./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73764508/98801383.0.jpg)
When Utah completely committed to rebuilding, they allowed Millsap to sign with the Atlanta Hawks in free agency. He blossomed into a full-fledged star player in Atlanta’s more modern offense, earning four All-Star appearances and one All-Defense selection.
Millsap went on to play for the Denver Nuggets, who faced battle against the Jazz in the 2020 “Bubble” playoffs. He was a valuable role player late in his career, playing for the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers before retiring.
Paul Millsap was a remarkable player. Beginning as a 6’8″ forward famed for rebounding and defense, he eventually matured into a modern all-around offensive hub. Millsap made many happy memories for Jazz fans, and he will always be cherished in Utah.
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