More Utah Jazz Information

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 Oklahoma City Thunder.

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.