He was prompted nonetheless by the now 9-6 Jazz's first loss of the season, a 22-turnover debacle two days earlier in New York, and the absence at the time of yet another starter, center Mehmet Okur.

This time, however, point guard Deron Williams wants to be sure he's ready.

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan instructed him to wait until he's 100 percent -- not 80 or less, like last time -- and Williams very much wants to be as close to completely recovered as he can before trying yet again.

That is why Williams wasn't prepared to commit for certain on Tuesday, instead hedging his remarks with qualifiers and possible outs when asked if he still felt he'd be good enough to go when Utah plays host tonight to the Memphis Grizzlies.

"We'll see," Williams said.

"I think so," he added. "I think (the ankle) is pretty strong. It's just more 'playing through pain.' ... I'll wait and see how it feels (later Tuesday) and (today), and go from there."

Williams underwent a Cybex strength test prior to practicing Tuesday and seemed encouraged by the results.

After first joking he's only "50 percent," and later indicating he did not know specific numbers, Williams said, "They said it's 'pretty good."'

Whenever Williams does indeed play again, it will be a return much more satisfying than the annual day-after-Christmas exchange of two really gaudy sweaters and one shirt that doesn't fit for something that might actually get worn.

"I've just been wanting to play," he said.

"You know, I've never been out this long for any injury," Williams added. "Even when I broke my jaw in college (at the University of Illinois), I wasn't out this long. So, it's just a little frustrating trying to get back and trying to get healthy."

Even if Williams is able to finally contribute yet again tonight, Sloan -- who is likely to be without several injured players against the Grizzlies, including two-time All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer -- indicated Tuesday he wasn't sure just how he'll use him.

"I just have to see where he is," the Jazz coach said. "He's been out for almost six weeks, and I don't know where his Basketball is. I guess we'll see when he gets out on the floor."

Moreover, Sloan suggested he has no idea how long it will take for the member of USA Basketball's gold medal-winning 2008 Olympic team to reach full speed.

"I've never been able to judge that," he said.

"Now, some guys can step out there and be right where they left off," Sloan added. "But he's never missed that many (13) games since he's been here, so I don't know where he'll be out there."

Then there is the issue of teammates growing accustomed to playing again with Williams, as opposed to combo guard/replacement-starter Ronnie Price and now-injured reserve point guard Brevin Knight.

Sloan knows it will take some time, and he especially hopes they don't use the anticipated return as a crutch.

"I think the other guys say, 'Well, now that Deron's back, we can relax a bit,' sometimes," he said. "That's the problem you worry about.

"You have to do it as a team," Sloan added. "I don't think one guy can go out there and beat the other team. Maybe Michael Jordan, or somebody like that. But I don't feel like we're in that same category." E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com