CHICAGO — As he sat waiting for the Jazz's game against Chicago on Saturday night to begin, forward Matt Harpring let it be known he preferred to play.
In the same breath, though, he made it clear he realizes it was best that he did not.
"It's being smart," said Harpring, who was on the inactive list for the first time in the 2005-06 NBA season. "Even though I don't like sitting, it's the right thing to do."
Harpring, only about six-and-a-half months removed from repeat microfracture knee surgery, is under doctor's orders not to play in back-to-back games.
He said he has minimal swelling in the knee and hopes to be cleared soon to play in back-to-backs.
It remains to be seen if that clearance will come in time for the Jazz's next back-to-back set, Monday night at the Delta Center vs. New York and Tuesday night at Sacramento.
Harpring was joined on the inactive list Saturday by healthy rookie Robert Whaley, who has yet to play this season, and forward Carlos Boozer, still out with a strained hamstring.
Taking Harpring's place on the Jazz's 12-man active roster was 18-year-old second-round draft choice C.J. Miles, who dressed for his first NBA game but did not play.
"I'm just trying to stay ready," Miles said. "I'll get a chance sooner or later."
CATCHING HEAT: Boozer is getting ripped by writers from around the country over his prolonged absence.
Sam Smith, writing in Friday's Chicago Tribune, after chronicling the fact Boozer missed the final 31 games of last season due to a foot problem and has missed all of this season with the hamstring strain: "It's beginning to look like the Jazz may have one stats leader this season — Boozer in steals."
Chris McCosky, earlier last week in The Detroit News: "Get this: Boozer has not worn a Jazz uniform since Feb. 14, four days after owner Larry Miller questioned his effort, saying: 'I don't know how tough he is.' I think he does now — not very."
The Jazz still do not know when Boozer will return, though there are plans for him to work out with Jazz assistant coaches today.
ALUMNI UPDATE: Former Jazz center Olden Polynice repotedly has agreed to join the Los Angeles Aftershock of the minor-league ABA as a player/assistant coach.
According to InsideHoops.com, "Polynice has been working out with the team to get in shape and assist players."
MISC.: Jazz big man Mehmet Okur's career-high 33 points and 17 rebounds marked his fourth double-double of the season. . . . The Bulls have now won four straight over the Jazz.. . . . Chicago point guard Kirk Hinrich posted his first double-double of the season after scoring 19 points and dishing 11 assists.
E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com