Tag: Jerry Sloan

Former Utah Jazz point guard Raul Neto pays tribute to Jerry Sloan

Philadelphia 76ers guard Raul Neto pays tribute to Jerry Sloan on social media.

Before he joined the Philadelphia 76ers, Raul Neto was playing point guard for the Utah Jazz and he got to be around one of the more legendary coaches in NBA history in Jerry Sloan.

On Friday morning, the Jazz organization announced that Sloan had passed away due to Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 78. Sloan was one of the most innovative basketball minds ever and he had a lot of love and passion for the game of basketball.

Neto never had a chance to play for Sloan as he entered the league in 2015 and Sloan was done coaching in 2011, but Neto still had his experiences with the coach. He went to Instagram to tell a story of Sloan sitting down with him in the Summer League and talk about basketball constantly.

The loss of an NBA legend is never easy and on top of that, he was an even better person. We have his family in our thoughts during this time. [lawrence-related id=31389,31376,31372]

7 incredible stats from Jerry Sloan’s legendary coaching career

What a career he had.

One of the greatest NBA coaches ever to walk the sidelines died on Friday, according to the Utah Jazz.

Jerry Sloan, who coached the franchise for 23 years, died from Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia at 78 years old.

Sloan was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 while still coaching the Jazz until 2011. He’s synonymous with the Jazz, of course, but he was the first player to have his number retired by the Chicago Bulls after playing 10 seasons with the franchise and averaging 14 points per game in his NBA career.

Let’s look back at some of the amazing stats from his legendary coaching career:

1. He amassed 1,221 wins in 26 seasons

He ranks fourth on both total wins and years. Just Gregg Popovich, Lenny Wilkens and Don Nelson have more victories in their careers.

2. He won 98 playoff games

That’s sixth all-time, just one win below the great Red Auerbach.

3. He had just one sub-.500 season with the Jazz

That’s WILD.

4. The Jazz were the best team in the NBA over a 15-year stretch

5. Sloan is second all-time for consecutive games coached with one franchise

That’s per the Jazz’s release.

6. Sloan’s consistency is amazing

Here’s more from that release:

Sloan is one of just seven coaches in league history to win at least 50 games in 10 different seasons (Rick Adelman, Don Nelson, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich and George Karl).

7. He made the playoffs 20 times

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Basketball fans everywhere mourn the loss of legendary Jazz coach Jerry Sloan

Sloan was 78 years old.

2020 continues to just be the worst year. Basketball fans everywhere on Friday were mourning the loss of legendary Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan after news broke that he passed away.

Sloan Jazz died on Friday morning due to complications from Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia at the age of 78, according to a statement from the team.

The Hall of Fame coach ranks fourth all-time in wins with 1,221. He coached the Jazz to the playoffs in 20 seasons and won 98 playoff games total (the sixth-most all-time). In that span, the Jazz also took two trips to the NBA Finals, covered extensively in “The Last Dance.”

The team put out a statement mourning his loss.

“Jerry Sloan will always be synonymous with the Utah Jazz. He will forever be a part of the Utah Jazz organization and we join his family, friends and fans in mourning his loss. We are so thankful for what he accomplished here in Utah and the decades of dedication, loyalty and tenacity he brought to our franchise.”

Basketball players, media and fans everywhere also joined in via social media to remember Sloan’s Hall of Fame career in basketball.

Some even had some pretty cool stories to share.

Basketball will miss Sloan, but his legacy in the game will live on forever.