RealGM

I know we have quite a few threads already, but this needs to be made.

Just want to gather some stories every had about Jerry/Phil during their 20+ years here.

I remember after the 2003-04 season after the Jazz had been eliminated from playoff contention after a game in Minnesota, a few friends and I went down to the airport where the Jazz fly in to see if we could catch them after the game. Most players just drove by, but Sloan stopped (blocking the only exit for anyone behind him) and talked to me and my friends for 3-5 minutes about the season. He thanked us for coming out, and said he hoped we still root for them next season even though they didn't make the playoffs this year.

At one point, the lady in the car behind him mounted the curb to get out and get around him, and when she did he leaned out of his windown and yelled "Watch where you're going you Butt-Head." It was funny to hear him censor himself in front of us, but it made you realize he was always concious of those around him.

Anyways, its a night I'll always remember, what are some of your personal stories, or just favorite things you remember about him on the floor.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q79hZ3v8RiE[/youtube]
no personal stories but this is a hell of a video.

I think the best way to describe the duo of Sloan and Johnson is reliability. As stated, the truly were a solid foundation. We may not have graced the promised land, but we all knew that we were going to have a competitive team with those two at the helm. Now we don't know what to expect, and we very easily could end up like other small market teams going through a handful of coaches.

I have nothing but respect for Sloan and Johnson. I sincerely appreciate their time with the Jazz, and the stability they brought. Best of luck to them both.

They were great and it's nice how well remembered he will be not only in utah, in all the nba world.

I can't believe I'm agreeing with something Charles Barkley said but it was indeed a sad experience to hear these that guys have retired, especially Sloan. They were NBA symbols that forged the Jazz identity and would also forge lasting legacies throughout the NBA; for example the Spurs modeled themselves after the Jazz and coaches around the league have been influenced by Sloan.

"In the rulebook it says a guard can't set a screen on a big man. That's only true if they are scared. If a guard isn't scared he can be anywhere he wants to be." Damn right Jerry!

Pretty cool appreciation article from all of the folks at Hoopsworld...

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18738

Regardless of anything else, these were two good guys in a league full of self-obessesed a$$holes......

I genuinely believe Jerry only cared about winning, not getting glory, or praise.......

That 03-04 season was my favorite in Jazz history. Even more than the finals appearances. Going from projected 7 wins to getting 42 was remarkable.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2009/09/11/nba_20090911_sloan1_speech.nba/

Wish someone would rip that and put it up on YT

I'll always remember Sloan and Malone giving each other a bear hug after we tied up the 1996 Finals at 2-2.

And I'll always cherish the trust and camaraderie between Sloan and Stockton. I remember one game where he was calling for a timeout down the stretch, and Stockton ignored him to go down and make a play. After the game, Sloan said something to the effect of: "Yeah, that's fine. John usually has a better idea of what's going on than me, so I've got no problem with him doing what he needs to." Howard Eisley tried the same thing, but I don't remember the same reaction...