The morning after an NBA head coach was fired for the seventh time this season -- this time former Jazz forward Marc Iavaroni, who got canned by the Memphis Grizzlies -- the league's dean of coaches spoke out on what's become a rather recurring subject.

"Some teams have improved, or look like they have improved. But maybe that would have happened if they had kept the guy there," Sloan, who is in his 21st season running the Jazz, said Friday.

"Who's to answer that question? Nobody can.

"When you're not winning in this league, it's tough. You're expected to win. Now, some people have patience; some people don't."

Sloan's "people" reference was to opposing franchise owners in particular.

Iavaroni was the ninth coach in the Grizzlies' 14-season franchise history, and his firing marks the 226th coaching change since Sloan took over in Utah in 1988.

"I don't know how you can have any continuity, as a player, because as soon as one little thing goes wrong, here we go," Sloan said. "And who's going to be next? You know, coaches catch all the flak for it."

Sloan also suggested circumstances in Memphis made it especially tough for Iavaroni -- whose firing also leaves Sacramento Kings interim coach Kenny Natt as the only ex-Jazz player currently holding one of the NBA's 30 head-coaching positions -- to succeed.

"When you lose a player like Pau Gasol (traded last February to the Los Angeles Lakers)," he said, "that will throw you out of sync for 10 years."

Iavaroni was 33-90 in a season-and-a-half with the Grizzlies, whom the Jazz have beaten seven straight times -- including twice this season, and five times under his watch.

SKIPPING SKILLS: Though he suggested his decision is subject to change should he be named a Western Conference reserve for the Feb. 15 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Deron Williams isn't planning on defending the Skills Challenge title he won last year in New Orleans.

The Jazz point guard said the NBA has already asked him to participate in the specialty competition again, and though he'd "definitely like to do it" he thinks R&R might be best during All-Star Weekend.

"I've got too many things hurting, so the rest is going to do me good," said Williams, who missed 13 games earlier this season with a sprained left ankle.

Thus, the invite was declined.

"I didn't know if I was going to make the game," Williams said, "so I didn't want to make a trip just to play in the Skills Challenge."

But Williams -- whose buddy, New Orleans point Chris Paul, has been voted in by fans as a Western Conference starter -- isn't giving up hope he'll be a first-time All-Star.

"There's still a chance," he said.

Guards Ronnie Price and Ronnie Brewer both were interested in taking part in All-Star Weekend's dunk contest, by the way, but neither was chosen.

STARSTRUCK: As have multiple Jazz players, Williams recently wandered up to Park City to experience the Sundance Film Festival and its festivities.

Williams said he had a good time. He even did some stargazing.

His biggest sighting?

"Kyle Korver slash Ashton Kutcher," he joked.

No word whether Demi Moore was with the Jazz shooting guard/celebrity lookalike.

INJURY UPDATE: The Jazz practiced Friday without three regulars, but at least two may be available when Cleveland visits tonight.

Sixth-man Andrei Kirilenko was rehabbing his inflamed right ankle, replacement-starter power forward Paul Millsap sat out with soreness in his bruised right knee and sub Matt Harpring was rehabbing his troublesome right knee.

Kirilenko will be a game-time decision, Millsap is probable and Harpring is expected to play tonight.

Also tonight, as expected, All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer (arthroscopic knee surgery) will miss a 32nd straight game.

LUBE JOB: Harpring sat out Friday for what he simply called "maintenance" on his knee.

Every couple of months, the Jazz veteran explained, he has lubrication injected into the joint that's been operated on three times since 2004.

"I've been doing this the last couple of years," Harpring said. "I've just got to take a day off, and then I'm good. I'll be fine. It's not a big deal." E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com