SALT LAKE CITY — Al Jefferson appeared noticeably nervous in front of hundreds of Utah Jazz fans on Monday night at EnergySolutions Arena.
Fortunately for the Jazz, Jefferson is more comfortable trying to score over Dwight Howard or guard Tim Duncan than he is walking down a runway as a fashion model.
Jefferson and three of his new teammates showed off the team's new look during a fan fest on Monday night on the plaza on the southeast side of the arena by the statues of Karl Malone and John Stockton.
While Jefferson may not feel comfortable as a model, the 6-10, 265-pounder did strike an impressive figure in the new, navy blue-based road uniform featuring the old-style Jazz musical note logo on the chest in white and a gold number 25 on the stomach and back.
Jefferson was impressed with the loud ovation he received from the fans — and with the turnout.
"This is still like a dream for me," said Jefferson of being traded to Utah from Minnesota this offseason. "It's a dream I don't want anyone to wake me up from. I'm very happy to be here. The fans have welcomed me with open arms. That means a lot to me."
Monday was the first time for Jefferson to get to know some of his new teammates — and fellow models — as Paul Millsap, Ronnie Price and C.J. Miles also donned the new duds for the runway.
"I like them," said Miles of the new uniforms. "I've always been a fan of the old colors and the old logo and everything. ... They say if you look good you play good, so I guess that's why they did it."
The new home uniforms are white with green numbers, navy letters with the Jazz note logo and gold stripes on the side.
"The jerseys are a lot lighter and the colors look good," said Price. "I like it. They look good."
Walking the runway, however, wasn't as easy as Price thought it would be.
"I was joking with my wife, telling her that I have a future in modeling," said Price. "But after doing that, I don't want any part of it. That's probably the most nerve-racking thing I've ever done."
In addition to showing off the new uniforms on Monday night, the team unveiled an 800-pound banner on the northeast side of the arena featuring three Jazz players in the new jerseys — Jefferson, Millsap and Raja Bell, Utah's top free agent acquisition during the offseason. Darrell Griffith, a former Jazz star whose retired No. 35 hangs from the rafters in the arena, was a co-host of the fashion show along with TV voice of the Jazz Craig Bolerjack.
Millsap, after backing up Carlos Boozer throughout his career, figures to have a much bigger role on the team this season now that Boozer is a Chicago Bull. Like the other players, he said he's excited for the upcoming season and for training camp to open in less than two months.
"I'm ready to play. I'm ready to go," said Millsap. "A lot of people are counting on our team to get out there and handle business and I think we're ready to do that."
e-mail: lojo@desnews.com