A report from the Palace of Auburn Hills, where the Pistons faced the Utah Jazz on Dec. 20. Since Jerry Sloan took over the Jazz more than two decades ago, there have been 225 coaching changes in the NBA, including six so far this year. In a business where coaches are often fired after less than two years on the job, he's a rare example of stability that you just don't see anymore, be it in the NBA or any other industry. Meeting with reporters before Friday's game, Sloan reflected on his longevity.
"I've been very fortunate," Sloan said. "Our owners have stayed with us and I think that's one of the things that gives us a fighting chance to start with. As soon as players know that a coach is in trouble, their agents will tell them, and so they don't have to play anymore. And that's when a lot of change is made. Our owners have given us the opportunity to say to our players that I'm going to be here. And it's pretty hard for them to have their agent get me fired."
Has there ever been any doubt who runs the Jazz? Since he's been in control, his teams have been known for playing smart and playing hard -- I don't think it's a coincidence that only two players have been whistled for a technical foul (Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur each have one) this year.
"I still realize that if I don't win, then I'll be gone. I've always known that, I'm not stupid," Sloan said. "The bottom line is you've got to be able to win some games. I think [owner Larry Miller] understands the injuries, sickness and that sort of thing. That's the thing that I don't think a lot of people understand: if guys get hurt, gets sick, what do you do about it? Not one thing. There's no one thing you can do. You've got to go play. We've had, like any other team, we get guys who aren't able to play, you still have to try to win."
Already this season the Jazz have played 17 games without Carlos Boozer, 13 games without Deron Williams, five games without Mehmet Okur and four games without Andrei Kirilenko and Kyle Korver. But despite it all, the Jazz have a 17-12 record and sit just one game out of first in the Northwest Division.
