Jerry Sloan to Resign

[j804]

on topic feel the same way most here, Sloan will be missed 

[soap07]

Can anyone believe that Sloan has a sub .500 record in the playoffs? I was pretty shocked by that.

[Atzar]

Well, it's safe to say that Deron Williams' reputation has taken a huge hit.  I'm just not convinced yet that he deserves it.  

Put it this way:  AOL.com is already running an article here that essentially blames the entire issue on Deron Williams.  The article is linked on AOL's front page.  

It looks bad for Williams.  There's talk that Sloan and Deron have had multiple arguments this year, and that Sloan felt that the team belonged to DWill and not him anymore.  

I remember a couple of years ago, there was a thread in which Boozer's character was called into question because he bolted Cleveland and was about to bolt Utah for the money.  A poster responded saying that he had attended on event at which the two, among others, were signing autographs; Boozer seemed cool, down-to-earth and personable, while Williams didn't come across as a friendly personality.  I know that such an account would mean nothing on its own, but it does seem to make more sense given the rumors that are swirling now.

With that said, nobody has any details.  Everything I've read has been mostly conjecture to this point.  Nobody knows exactly what Sloan and Williams fought about.  Sloan didn't give any real reasons about his departure, nor did the GM or the assistant coach.  Williams has yet to speak on the subject.  It looks bad, but until we know for a fact that Deron is the driving force behind Jerry's departure, I think it's best to reserve judgment.  In particular, I think articles like the one I linked above shouldn't be written and certainly shouldn't be featured on the front page of a major media outlet until some more concrete information is out there.

The book definitely isn't closed on this.  Remember that Magic Johnson was a coach killer before he was a legend.  Williams is regarded by some as the best point guard in the game, and Al Jefferson was always supposed to become an All Star if he could stay healthy for long enough.  If Utah suddenly figures it out and takes off, this script will flip.  Alternatively, if Utah combusts, then Deron Williams will be cast into the 'talented headcase' bin with the likes of Stephon Marbury, Ron Artest, etc. - somebody you 'take a chance on' and hope they don't tear the team apart from the inside out.  

EDIT:  Did some digging.  Deron Williams did field some questions on the radio.  Check out the conversation here.  It's about six minutes long. 

[Fan from VT]

I remember a couple of years ago, there was a thread in which Boozer's character was called into question because he bolted Cleveland and was about to bolt Utah for the money.  

As an aside, i've always thought boozer's gotten a raw deal. when he left cleveland, he was coming off a second-round pick salary and the "deal" he breached was an illegal, under the table move by cleveland management to keep boozer at below-market value. Then, I don't see any reason anyone in utah should be mad at boozer for leaving. Utah basically told everyone that they had no intention of paying boozer what everyone knew market value was for him, so he signed elsewhere.

[winsomme]

Deron Williams has always had that demeanor of when things are going wrong others are to blame.

I'm glad Jerry finally called him on it.

There's no doubt that Deron is a terrific player, but players who point fingers have always bothered me.

It will be interesting to see how he responds because that Utah team should be playing better than they have been.

I feel bad for Sloan who still is one of the best out there.

[housecall]

Personally i respect and have respected J.Sloan as much as the next guy but i will admit ive often wondered if he's a great coach more for his longivity in the NBA or his coaching skills.When i go back to the Stockton/Malone days they had the complete team to win a championship but for one reason or another they never got over the hump.Moving forward with regrouping with Boozer,D.Williams,Okur era the window of opportunity was there again.It seems he's been given the opportunity to coach two different championship caliber teams at different times of his career and couldn't get them over the top.There comes a time when you have to look at the top and take a closer look at what the coach is and not doing to win.Im not saying he was a bad coach but i am not on the bandwagon of Jerry Sloan being a great coach.I do give him all the props in the world for lasting 26yrs.coaching in the NBA,23 as a head coach of the same team.

[GreenFaith1819]

Sorry to see Sloan go.

After reading and hearing different reports, it sounds and looks like it was Sloan's decision - not DWill pushing him out the door, though.

From what I've seen of Coach Sloan, I'd still be willing to bet that IF it was player-related, he'd have way too much class to admit it.

Wish him the best.

[Who]

With this roster, I don't think Sloan will be much of a loss.

Management has done a poor job of surrounding Sloan with his type of players and consequently I think most coaches around the league would do just as good a job with those pieces as Jerry Sloan has.

[Mulla]

Looked like his resignation press conference was pretty emotional. It was really tough for him to announce it - really shows his commitment to the organization

[Who]

EDIT:  Did some digging.  Deron Williams did field some questions on the radio.  Check out the conversation here.  It's about six minutes long. 

Thank you for the links. Some interesting interviews there, particularly the owner and GM.

[nickagneta]

When i go back to the Stockton/Malone days they had the complete team to win a championship but for one reason or another they never got over the hump.

That hump was named Michael Jordan.

[mrkelly]

Wow. End of an Era. 23 years at one ball club is a long, long time.

I'm a Celtic through and through, but you have to respect his legacy and what he's accomplished at that club. Literally grew up rooting for them to knock Jordan off his perch.

Whoever made the decision to keep a point guard over such a man is an idiot through and through.

[Mike-Dub]

Karl Malone's opinion on Sloan's resignation...

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/210870/Malone_Upset_With_Utahs_Coaching_Change

Malone Upset With Utah's Coaching Change

Karl Malone says the Jerry Sloan he knows would never quit and suggested his longtime Jazz coach grew tired of garbage that came with the job and certain players.

"They changed the floor back to old school. They changed the uniform back to old school. Somebody tell the [dang] players to start playing like old school," Malone said Friday night. "It may work. They spent a lot of money on the rest, now how about you tell the players. I'm just calling it like I see it."

Malone, who has exchanged phone messages with Sloan since his resignation, also took issue with some national analysts and players who were particularly critical of the coach.

Deron Williams clashed with Sloan recently because of his schedule and study demands.

"You're a professional," Malone said. "You don't need for me to break a film down for you. If you want to stop the guy you're playing, they pay you millions of dollars. You get you a TV and break the player down yourself."

Not a single player attended Sloan's press conference on Thursday, when he announced his decision to step down.

"I don't even need to answer whether I would have been there or not," said Malone.

"If I got something to say or do to a man, I'm going to look that man in the eye and tell him what is going to happen. That's just me now."

P.S. boy is Karl's bicep HUGE in that picture.