The Utah Jazz had started coming into their own as a franchise in 1984, when they began consistently reaching the playoffs. Head coach Frank Layden handed off the keys to Jerry Sloan in 1989 and the postseason spots kept coming. The 1992 Utah Jazz produced the next significant breakthrough—they became the first team to reach […]
Malone and Stockton may have had Hall of Fame resumes and Finals experience, but one thing they did not have was a supporting cast. Jeff Hornacek, Stockton’s running mate in the backcourt was good for a 14 a night, and a good three-point shooter, but no one else averaged in double-digits, nor made an impact with rebounding or assists. It was the coaching of longtime mastermind Jerry Sloan, combined with his two stars, that kept this team afloat in a competitive Western Conference.