2006 Utah Jazz

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the San Antonio Spurs, winners of the Western Conference Finals, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Utah Jazz, winners of the Northwest Division, for the amazing season they had!

Behind coaching legend Jerry Sloan, the Jazz continue to improve their game. Always tough at home, the gritty heart and soul of the team -- Andre Kirlenko, Deron Williams, and Carlos Boozer – have great chemistry and play aggressively on both sides of the ball. The Delta Center crowd also expects big things from Matt Harpring, who is always a force when he’s able to stay healthy. The Jazz appear to be aching to shed their low profile and make some noise – and cause some upsets – throughout the Western Conference this season.

The Jazz first joined the National Basketball Association in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz. The most famous player in the New Orleans Jazz' history is former Louisiana State University star and Hall of Famer "Pistol Pete" Maravich. Maravich is one of the flashiest players in NBA history. In 1979 the team moved to Salt Lake City and became the Utah Jazz.

The team made their first playoffs in the 1983-1984 season, and after that season they drafted the first of two franchise cornerstones. He was a little known point guard from Gonzaga University, John Stockton. The next draft they got their second franchise player from another small school, Louisiana Tech, when they drafted "The Mailman", Karl Malone. Stockton and Malone played together for 17 seasons, 15 of those under head coach Jerry Sloan. Stockton became the NBA's all time leader in assists and Malone became second all time in scoring. For 17 seasons Jazz ticket holders got to see the Stockton to Malone combination. This combination became the most recognizable combination in all of the NBA and perhaps in NBA history. The team never won a championship during this time despite consistently making the playoffs year in and year out. They play in the Western Conference's Northwest Division, against such rivals as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle SuperSonics.

The two players most associated with the Jazz are no longer on the team, but they are still coached by Jerry Sloan. Sloan was a fiery defensive player during his playing career, and he brings that same fiery attitude to the court. The Jazz have had to rebuild quickly to compete in the tough Western Conference, and they have done just that. The Jazz are led by a budding young Russian star named Andre Kirilenko. Kirilenko is 6 foot 9 but is versatile enough to play both inside and outside. He is one of the best three point shooters in the league. Sharing the scoring duties with Kirilenko is a 6 foot 7 inch swingman out of Georgia Tech named Matt Harpring. Harpring had a breakout season in 2002, his first season with the Jazz, when he proved that he could be the scorer in the NBA that he was in college.

Until 1991 the team played in the old Salt Palace. In 1991 the team moved into the Delta Center. Located in downtown Salt Lake City, the Delta Center is also near renowned attractions such as Temple Square and the Mormon Tabernacle, and about 2 blocks from the Salt Palace. The stadium seats 19,911 people and is usually sold out by the great Jazz fans. Any tickets available are sure to provide a great basketball watching experience. There are no other major pro sports in Salt Lake City or the whole state of Utah. The University of Utah Utes of the Mountain West Division call Salt Lake City their home. The Utah basketball team is always a national contender including trips to the Final Four. They play their home games at the Huntsman Center.