Skander and I watched the Utah vs. Dallas game last night.
Jerry Sloan won his 1000th game as an NBA coach. The way he handled the whole thing was classic Jerry Sloan - downplaying his own role in the accomplishment, getting his players off the court quickly so as to avoid the spotlight. And, in front of the reporters, he again downplayed his accomplishment, choosing to focus on the players.
And then, you saw the weak spot in the armor - you saw the fact that he *IS* proud of the accomplishment, just like anyone would be. But it wasn't a "proud" moment - it was a GRATEFUL moment. Former Jazz coach Frank Layden approached Sloan to congratulate him, and Sloan's comment was, "Thanks for getting me here." In gratitude, Jerry Sloan showed his human side.
1000 victories, the longest tenure with a single team in NBA history, and the man has never won the Coach Of The Year award. A man synonymous with discipline and team play, and when we need an Olympic Coach who is strong in discipline and team play, we grab up a college coach, because we all know how well those college coaches do when they come to coach at the pro level. Never mind that there's a qualified NBA coach out there, who has served as an assistant coach for the Dream Team in the past.
Skander made the comment that Utah, because of its market size and lack of attraction for free agents, almost has to run its franchise as if it were a college program - a long-tenured coach, with a well-defined system. He suggested that when Sloan leaves Utah, Utah will be bad for a long time. Well, I think there are a few hopes that that won't happen; Utah could always hire Sloan's assistant - Phil Johnson, who, amazingly enough *HAS* won the NBA Coach Of The Year award - or they could hire in a former Sloan player like Jeff Hornacek who could attempt to preserve the culture. But it definitely is an interesting idea.
People have been talking as recently as last year that Sloan should be sent packing. That's just plain stupid. The man is stability defined, and when you've got young players, stability is critical.
It's time to give the man his props, people. Jerry Sloan for NBA Coach Of The Year - even if he never wins another game.