http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/70746/20101224/sloan_moves_into_third_on_all_time_wins_list/# Does anyone else think that the Utah Jazz have hung on to Jerry Sloan longer than they should have? 23 years is a long time for a coach to have a job considering that he hasn't won a title. He's had numerous winning seasons, but other than his 2 Finals appearances, his teams has been average in the playoffs. He's a good coach and it's a nice achievement, but I often wonder what the Jazz could do if they made a coaching change. Not that I want them to get better or anything.
More goes into winning a championship then just a great coach. Just like there are many great players that haven't won championships, there are many great coaches that haven't won championships. A championship is a perfect storm of dozens of factors, among them things which are uncontrollable, like luck, injury, quality of competition. So basing all evaluation on just the single metric of "Championship?" is not really very logical. Jerry Sloan is a very excellent coach- as evidenced by the consistency with which Utah plays excellently from year to year, in spite of often not having very much star power. Another bit of important evidence is how many players witness a lot of improved performance when going to that team, and decreased performance after leaving it.
I think holding on to Sloan is the smartest thing the Utah organization has ever done. It isn't easy to get top notch coaches to go to Utah, so they've held on to their own top notch coach. You tell me who is better who would go there?
Its amazing being in such a crappy market what Sloan has coached that team to acheive.... Most teams in a market like that are toilet teams....Well then again Sloan and the Utah j*zz is what goes in those toilets.
I hate his team and him when they put on their uniforms and step on the court. But I do respect the enemy, and off the court I think he is one of the all time great NBA coaches. It must feel pretty good to be a walking Hall of famer before you even retire. I found out he never won the coach of the year award before though, which I found surprising.
He is a great coach, but I dislike the Jazz...that make me say: He should retire if he doesn't win any championships this year...
