Utah Jazz Details, Meaning Utah Jazz Article and Explanation Guide

Utah Jazz Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description

The Utah Jazz are a National Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Founded: 1974

Formerly known as: New Orleans Jazz (1974-79)

Home Arena: Delta Center

Uniform colors: Purple and blue

Logo design: The word "JAZZ" superimposed over a mountain inside a gold ring with the word "UTAH" at the top

NBA Championships:

Table of contents

1 Franchise history
2 Players of note

2.1 Basketball Hall of Famers
2.2 Others
2.3 Retired numbers
2.4 Current stars
2.5 Coaches

3 External links

Franchise history

The Jazz franchise began in New Orleans in 1974, but they were unsuccesful, even with "Pistol" Pete Maravich leading the team. He was often considered one of the most entertaining players to watch, but nevertheless, the Jazz were a losing team. After four losing seasons in New Orleans, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1979.

They continued at or near the bottom of the standings until the 1983-1984 season, when they won the division and made it to the second round of the playoffs. In 1984 the Jazz drafted John Stockton from Gonzaga, and in 1985 they drafted Karl Malone from Louisiana State University. With Frank Layden and later Jerry Sloan coaching the team, these moves paid off. They became one of the most successful teams throughout the late 80's and all through the 90's. John Stockton eventually set records for the most steals, assists, and games played with one team in NBA history and became one of the most successful point guards in history. After playing together for several years, Stockton and Malone established a remarkable in-game connection on the court, with Stockton frequently passing to Malone for a Malone score. Soon "Stockton to Malone" became one of the most well-known sayings in the NBA. They were supported by other good players such as Mark Eaton, Adrian Dantley, Jeff Malone, and later Jeff Hornacek, Bryon Russell, and Howard Eisley, to name just a few. This combination created one of the most elite teams in the league. Eventually, Malone earned the record for the second most points in NBA history, and received MVP awards in 1997 and 1999. Jeff Hornacek also became a renowned player through the '90's, and was one of the best three-point and free throw shooters in the league. He retired in 2000. However, the Utah Jazz, despite making 20 consecutive playoff appearances (1983 to 2003), never won a championship, losing to the Chicago Bulls four games to two in 1997 and again in 1998. After that they faded in the standings, although they continued to make the playoffs until 2003, after which Stockton retired and Malone moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, hoping to receive a championship ring.

In the 2003 to 2004 season, the Jazz were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league. However, they shattered all expectations under no-namers Andrei Kirilenko, Raja Bell, Matt Harpring, Gordan Giricek, and Carlos Arroyo. They were in the playoff race to the end of the season, missing out by just one game to the Denver Nuggets. Jerry Sloan was second place in the voting for the NBA Coach of the Year Award, losing to Hubie Brown of the Memphis Grizzlies. In the 2004 offseason, with the surprise additions of Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, they are once again expected to be serious contenders in the West, and are often hailed for making the best offseason moves of any team. In 2004, with the realigment to introduce a 30th team, the Jazz were transferred to the Northwest Division with the Portland Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Seattle Sonics.