The Jazz will never die. They will be here forever, never aging, and never winning championships. . . <A Href="http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0202/1058248.html">Sloan agrees to 3 year contract extension</a> SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, already the NBA's longest-tenured coach, is staying on board for at least three more seasons. Sloan signed a three-year contract extension Friday that carries him through the 2003-04 season. His current contract would have expired after this season. "I'm going to work tomorrow," Sloan said with a laugh. "That's what I've always done." The salary was not disclosed. Sloan is the most successful coach in Jazz history, going 638-298 since succeeding former coach Frank Layden on Dec. 9, 1988. Sloan also coached the Jazz to the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals, where they lost twice to the Chicago Bulls. About one month ago, Jazz vice president Kevin O'Connor approached Sloan to propose the new deal. Working with owner Larry Miller, terms were completed without fanfare. "It went together smoothly because Jerry and myself ... have common goals for this franchise," Miller said. "I believe we've been fair to Jerry, and Jerry tells me we have." Sloan's long stay in Utah stands out at a time when many teams change coaches every few years. He credited the stability of the Jazz organization for allowing him to coach without worrying about external matters. "It's run through the basketball people," Sloan said. "You don't have 18 different people to deal with. Larry is the guy in charge of it. He has hired people to do the basketball part." Sloan also cited his two superstars, Karl Malone and John Stockton, for keeping the team stable and successful on his watch. "Having two great players hasn't hurt anything," Sloan said. "They haven't run me off." Last summer, Malone made headlines by saying he believed Sloan and Stockton wouldn't return after the 2000-01 season. Asked about those comments, Sloan acknowledged he had grown weary while his wife, Bobbye, battled breast cancer. Her condition has improved, and so has Sloan's outlook. "The last couple of years have been pretty tough on our family," Sloan said. "We've gone through some tough times. We worked those things out and my wife is healthy. She seems to be doing very well. That's the most important thing. "Once you get past that stage, things seem to brighten up and you have more energy," he said. Regarding Stockton, Sloan said his standout point guard will "probably play one day at a time, if I know him." Sloan has led Utah to five Midwest Division titles and 12 straight postseason appearances. He is one of four coaches, along with Pat Riley, Phil Jackson and Lenny Wilkins, to win at least 50 games nine times. Funny, of all those coaches, Sloan is the one without a ring. . . ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . . [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited February 02, 2001).]
Well this sucks, I was hoping that we would soon see the last of that terrible threesome. ------------------
Sloan is a discipline coach. Without Malone (and Stockton), however, he will be an angry, frustrated, losing, discipline coach. ------------------ "Breaking up is hard to do...[with] everyone trying to make it a parting befitting all the professionalism that came before. Trying to find that Olajuwon graceful fade one more time." Scott Howard-Cooper (Sacramento Bee, ESPN.com)
Is this any surprise? He will have a walker and wear depends and still be coaching the Jazz. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
And stockton will still be his starting point guard. ------------------ The whole world we travel with our thoughts, Finding nowhere anyone as precious as one's own self. Since each and every person is so precious to themselves Let the self-respecting harm no other being. -from the Samyutta Nikaya
I am so sick of Rogaine, Alfalfa, and Mean b*stard. I mean when the hell are they ever going to retire? Next thing you know, Horn-a-suck will come out of retirement just so his kids can see him wipe his face when he shoots free throws. I really want the Jazz-holes to suck for about 10 years. ------------------ "Chucky who?" Charles Barkley
Just 10 years? I want em to SUCK for eternity! ------------------ SUCK POLICE!!!!!! To point out individuals or teams that have managed to reach the pinnacle of SUCKINESS!!!!! ----- GIANTS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree, only ten years would be way to easy on those punks. ------------------ The whole world we travel with our thoughts, Finding nowhere anyone as precious as one's own self. Since each and every person is so precious to themselves Let the self-respecting harm no other being. -from the Samyutta Nikaya
