The Utah Jazz are a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The franchise began in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz, based in New Orleans, Louisiana, but the team moved to Utah in 1979 after just five seasons. The Jazz were one of the most unsuccessful teams in the league in their early years, and it would be 10 years before they made a playoff appearance (in 1984). They would not miss the playoffs again until 2004. During the late 1980s, John Stockton and Karl Malone arose as the franchise players for the team, and formed one of the most famed point guard–power forward duos in NBA history. Led by coach Jerry Sloan, who took over for Frank Layden in 1988, they became one of the powerhouse teams of the 1990s, culminating in two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998, where they lost both times to the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. Both Stockton and Malone moved on in 2003. After missing the playoffs for three seasons the Jazz have returned to prominence under the on-court leadership of the franchise point guard Deron Williams. As of 2010, the Jazz are the only team in the Big Four sports leagues located in the state of Utah.

Franchise history

Early years in New Orleans

In 1974, the Jazz franchise began in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the 18th team to enter the NBA. The team's first major move was to trade for star player Pete Maravich from the Atlanta Hawks for two first-round draft picks, three second-round picks, and one third-round pick over the next three years. Although he was considered one of the most entertaining players in the league and won the scoring championship in 1977 with 31.1 points per game, the record while in New Orleans was 39–43 in the 1977–78 season. Maravich struggled with knee injuries from that season onward.

Venue issues were a continual problem for the team while in New Orleans. In the Jazz's first season, when they played in the Loyola University Fieldhouse, the basketball court was raised so high that the players' association made the team put a net around the court so that players wouldn't fall off of the court and into the stands. Later, they played games in the Louisiana Superdome, but things were no better; due to high demand for the stadium, onerous lease terms and Maravich's constant knee problems. For instance, during the 1977–78 season, the Jazz were in the midst of a playoff drive when Mardi Gras festivities forced the team on a month-long road trip. Even if they had made the playoffs that year, they would have been forced to find another place to play in the event of a conflict.

On their way out of the Big Easy, the Jazz were dealt one final humiliation when the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic Johnson with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft. The pick would have belonged to the Jazz had they not traded it to Los Angeles to acquire Gail Goodrich.

1979–84: Move to Utah; Foundation for success is built

By 1979, the Jazz were sinking under the weight of $5 million in losses over five years. Original owner Sam Battistone decided to move to Salt Lake City, even though it was a smaller market than New Orleans at the time. However, Salt Lake City had proven it could support a pro basketball team when it played host to the American Basketball Association's Utah Stars from 1970 to 1976. The Stars had been extremely popular in the city, but their financial picture inexplicably collapsed in their last two seasons, and they folded in December 1975 after playing only 16 games of the ABA's final season. Although Salt Lake City was not known for its jazz culture, the team decided to keep the name, as well as the team's original colors of green, purple and gold (the colors of Mardi Gras). Some were offended by the Jazz keeping the franchise name after moving from New Orleans, citing it as a metaphor for the theft of Jazz from its cultural roots.

The Jazz's attendance actually declined slightly after the team's move from New Orleans to Utah, due to a late approval for the move (June 1979) and poor marketing in the Salt Lake City area. The team's management made the first of several moves in 1979, bringing high-scoring forward Adrian Dantley to Utah in exchange for Spencer Haywood. Dantley averaged 28.0 points per game during the 1979-80 season, allowing the team to waive Pete Maravich early in the year. The team struggled to a 24-58 mark, but was rewarded with the 2nd overall pick in the 1980 NBA Draft, which they used to pick Darrell Griffith of Louisville, another piece of the rebuilding puzzle.

During the 1980-81 NBA Season, the club struggled financially as well as on the court. Despite having perennial All-Star Dantley, a 20 point per game scorer in Griffith; as well as emerging point guard Rickey Green, the Jazz were unable to produce a winning team, going 28-54.

Tom Nissalke departed as coach after the team started the 1981-82 season with an 8-12 record, and General Manager Frank Layden replaced him. Layden's coaching wasn't an improvement initially, as the Jazz went 17-45 the rest of that season to finish 25-57.

The 1982 NBA Draft saw the Jazz pick forward Dominique Wilkins, who was reluctant to play for them. Combined with the cash-strapped ownership, this produced another trade to improve cash flow - Atlanta gave up guards John Drew and Freeman Williams, plus $1 million in cash, for the rights to Wilkins.

For the 1982-83 season, Dantley ended up missing 60 of 82 games due to injury, depriving the team of its leading scorer for much of the season. Newcomer John Drew also missed time, playing in only 44 games. The Jazz ended up being led by Darrell Griffith (22.2 ppg), Rickey Green (14.3 ppg), and Danny Schayes (12.4 ppg). A rookie 7'4" center, Mark Eaton, began manning the post as well. The team finished 30-52, still out of the playoffs, but an improvement over recent years.

During the 1983 NBA Draft, the Jazz used their first-round pick, #7 overall, to choose Thurl Bailey, of the 1983 NCAA Champion North Carolina State University Wolfpack, and later took Bobby Hansen of the University of Iowa, in the third round, 54th overall.

1983-84 opened as a season of uncertainty. The team was losing money, and management was crafting stunts, such as playing games in Las Vegas, to help the team be more profitable. The team was rumored to be moving from Utah also, due to the small market and ownership's struggles financially. However, the team's fortunes on the court continued to improve, with a healthy Adrian Dantley, Jeff Wilkins, and rookie Thurl Bailey at the forward positions, Mark Eaton & Rich Kelley jointly manning the post, and Rickey Green with Darrell Griffith at the guards, and John Drew providing 17 points per night off the bench. The team went 45-37 and won the Midwest Division, their first division title in team history.

They advanced to the NBA Playoffs, defeating the Denver Nuggets 3-2 in the first round, and moved on to play the Phoenix Suns in the second round. Despite having homecourt in the best of seven series, the Jazz lost to the more experienced Suns, 4-2.

Jazz fans were not happy a month later, when the team picked an unknown point guard in the 1st round of the NBA Draft, John Stockton of Gonzaga. The Jazz fans on hand for the draft party booed the selection.

1984-85 to 1987-88: Stockton to Malone is born

The 1984-85 season saw the emergence of Mark Eaton as a defensive force. averaging 5.56 blocks per game along with 9.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. On the downside, John Drew played only 19 games on the season, depriving the team of their high-scoring sixth man. Despite that, the Jazz returned to the playoffs, facing off with the Houston Rockets and their All-Star Centers, Akeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. The Jazz prevailed in the series, 3-2, advancing to the second round to face the high-scoring Denver Nuggets. Utah fell to Denver, 4-1 in the second-round series.

The team's perennial financial woes and instability were somewhat stabilized during April 1985, when Larry H. Miller bought 50% of the team for $8 million, and became a co-owner with Sam Battistone, who had been seeking to move the team. In the 1985 NBA Draft the team added Karl Malone from Louisiana Tech, a 6'9" 250 pound power forward.

Malone made an immediate impact in the , averaging 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per outing, supplementing Dantley in the frontcourt. However, starting guard Darrell Griffith missed the entire season with a stress fracture, and the team hovered around the .500 mark most of the year. In the 1985-86 postseason, the Jazz faltered in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks, losing the series 3-1.

During the offseason in 1986, co-owner Sam Battistone was approached to sell the team to Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Rattner, who would have moved the team to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Larry Miller didn't want to sell the team, but due to contractual language in his agreement with Battistone, could have been bought out by the new owners if he refused to sell. Offers went as high as $28 million for the team as a whole during this process (the Jazz were valued at $16 million less than a year earlier when Miller purchased half for $8 million). Miller stepped in at the last minute and purchased the remaining 50% of the team for $14 million, buying out the original contract with Battistone, and kept the team in Utah.

The 1986-87 season was one of change. Adrian Dantley, the team's star player that had carried them through the early years in Utah, was traded to Detroit for Kelly Tripucka, who ended up splitting time with Thurl Bailey. Darrell Griffith, back from injuries that caused him to miss the 1985-86 season, lost his starting spot at guard to Bobby Hansen. John Stockton was warranting more time behind, and in front of, Rickey Green at the point guard position. Amidst all these changes, the team went 44-38 on the season, and lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.

For the 1987-88 Season, John Stockton took over for Rickey Green as the starting point guard, and Karl Malone began establishing himself as one of the better power forwards in the league. That year, the team finished 47-35 and defeated Portland, 3-1, in the first round, earning a second round matchup with the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. After LA took Game 1 at home, the Jazz surprised the Lakers by winning Game 2 in LA, 101-97, and took the lead in the series 2-1 with a Game 3 win in Salt Lake City. The Jazz lost Games 4 and 5, but fought back to demolish the Lakers in Game 6, 108-80, tying the series 3-3. In the deciding Game 7, the Lakers prevailed, 109-98. But the Jazz had shown they were no longer the pushover of their early days.

1988–90: Playoff Struggles

During the 1988–89 season, the Jazz won 51 games and the Midwest Division title as the team grew better overall. Malone and Stockton, as well as Mark Eaton, were All-Stars. Eaton won Defensive Player of the Year for the second time, and it appeared the Jazz were ready to take the next step in the post-season, after having pushed the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in the 2nd round the previous year. However, in a playoff upset, the #7 seeded Golden State Warriors defeated the #2 seeded Jazz, 3 games to 0, in the first round, ending the Jazz's season abruptly.

In the following year, 1989–90, the Jazz made some changes, with Bobby Hansen supplanting Darrell Griffith as the starting guard alongside Stockton. Also Thurl Bailey, relied on for 19 points per game the previous year, had his role reduced somewhat, as rookie forward–guard Blue Edwards played a prominent role in the front court. Mike Brown, a backup forward–center, spelled Mark Eaton more frequently. The results were the best win–loss mark in team history, with the Jazz going 55–27 and finishing second in the division to the San Antonio Spurs (56–26). Karl Malone had his best season statistically, averaging 31.0 points and 11.1 rebounds. John Stockton averaged 17.2 points and 14.5 assists per outing, both career highs, with the assist total and average leading the NBA that year. In the playoffs, they were matched up with the Phoenix Suns, led by All-Stars Tom Chambers and Kevin Johnson. Phoenix defeated the Jazz 3–2 in the first round. Once again, the Jazz were left with questions as to how they could do so well in the regular season but fail to advance in the playoffs.

1990 to 1996: Working towards contention

For the 1990–91 season, the Jazz made another move to improve the team, with a three-way trade being made. Shooting Guard Jeff Malone was brought to Utah from the Washington Bullets, while Eric Leckner and Bobby Hansen were sent from Utah to the Sacramento Kings, and Pervis Ellison ended up going from Sacramento to Washington.

The change brought immediate dividends, as the Jazz rolled to a 22–10 start to the 1990-91 season, with Jeff Malone averaging 18.6 points that year, giving the Jazz three scoring options (Karl Malone, Jeff Malone, and John Stockton – 64.8 of the team's 104 points per game). The Jazz finished 54-28, 2nd in the division to San Antonio by 1 game, for the second year in a row. In the playoffs, they met the Phoenix Suns for the second year in a row, but this time the Jazz were ready. Game 1 was a blowout in Utah's favor, on Phoenix's home floor, 129-90, setting the tone for the series, as Utah eliminated the Suns 3-1, earning a second round match-up with the Portland Trail Blazers, the defending Western Conference Champions. The Jazz played well, keeping close in most of the games, but ultimately lost the series 4–1 to the deeper and more experienced Blazers.

The 1991-92 season proved to be the most successful to date for the Jazz. They moved to a newly built home, the Delta Center, a state-of-the art arena that seated 19,911 fans. This was a huge improvement over the Salt Palace, which seated just over 12,000 and lacked luxury suites and retail space. Early in the year, a trade brought Tyrone Corbin, a tough, defensive forward, from Minnesota in exchange for fan-favorite Thurl Bailey.

The Jazz went 55-27 over the season, winning the Midwest Division Title for the first time since 1989, and looked to advance farther in the postseason. In the playoffs, the Jazz defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 3-2 in the first round, then took care of the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round, 4-1, advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time, where they faced the Portland Trail Blazers. Once again, Portland proved to be the superior team, defeating the Jazz 4-2 in the series and denying them a trip to the NBA Finals.

The 1992-93 season proved to be a disappointment compared with the years before, with a 47-35 mark and 3rd place in the division. The center position, manned capably by Mark Eaton for most of the past decade, became suspect as Eaton struggled with injuries and age. The Jazz had a disappointing run in the playoffs as well, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round, 3-2. During the postseason, the team addressed the center position by acquiring 7'0" Felton Spencer from Minnesota, in return for backup center Mike Brown.

During the 1993–94 season, the Jazz traded Jeff Malone to the Philadelphia 76ers for shooting guard Jeff Hornacek. Hornacek meshed well with Stockton, and the Jazz improved to a 53–29 record for the year. In the playoffs, they faced San Antonio in the first round, shutting down NBA scoring leader David Robinson in the series. Robinson had averaged 29.8 points on 50% shooting during the regular season, numbers that dropped to 20.0 and 41% against Utah. The Jazz then fought off a determined Denver Nuggets team 4–3 in the conference semi-finals (almost blowing a 3–0 series lead in the process), to advance to the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the eventual NBA champion Houston Rockets 4–1.

In the 1994–95 season, the Jazz had significant depth and talent at their disposal and were expected to make a serious run for the championship. However, they lost starting center Felton Spencer 34 games into the season with a ruptured Achilles Tendon. The Jazz were deep enough to still finish with a 60–22 record. However, the Jazz lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, 3-2.

Big man Greg Ostertag was added to the team for the 1995–96 season. The Jazz went 55-27, and reached the conference finals for the third time in history, nearly overcoming a 3–1 series deficit, but eventually losing to the Seattle SuperSonics 4–3.

1996–98: The NBA Finals years

In the next two seasons, the Jazz were finally able to capitalize on their regular season success. In 1996–97, the Jazz had their best record in franchise history at 64–18, winning the Midwest Division and finishing with the best overall record in the Western Conference. The team was made up of the mainstays, Stockton, Malone, and Hornacek, as well as Bryon Russell, Greg Ostertag, Antoine Carr, Howard Eisley, and Shandon Anderson. Malone won his first NBA MVP for the 1996-97 regular season, averaging 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

The Jazz reached the NBA Finals for the first time after beating the Los Angeles Clippers 3–0, Los Angeles Lakers 4–1, and Houston Rockets 4-2. The Jazz then met Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the finals, losing to the Bulls 4–2, with the last two games being decided in the final seconds (scores of 90–88 and 87–86).

During the offseason, the Jazz made no significant changes to their roster. As the 1997–98 season neared, the Jazz were expected to be contenders for the championship once again. However, Stockton suffered a serious knee injury before the season began, and missed the first 18 games, in which the Jazz went 11-7. Once Stockton returned, the team went 51-13 the rest of the way, mirroring their winning pace of the year before, to finish at 62–20 for the season, winning the Midwest Division and also homecourt advantage for the playoffs.

In the playoffs, the Jazz beat the Houston Rockets 3–2, and the San Antonio Spurs 4–1, to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the third straight year. Utah, with a veteran core of Stockton, Malone and Hornacek (averaging 34.3 years of age), were facing a Los Angeles Lakers squad led by superstar Shaquille O'Neal, guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel, and a young Kobe Bryant. The Jazz set the tone for the series with a resounding win in Game 1, 112-77. Game 2 was much closer, a 99-95 Jazz victory, and Games 3 and 4 in Los Angeles were decided by an average of 7.5 points. However, the Jazz prevailed in all four, sweeping Los Angeles for the first time since the 1989 NBA Finals, and earning a 2nd straight trip to the NBA Finals.

In the 1998 NBA Finals, the Jazz took Game 1 at home 88–85. However, the Bulls overcame a slow start to win Game 2 93–88, easily took Game 3, 96–54 and won a closer Game 4, 86–82 to lead 3–1 in the series. The Jazz fought back to win Game 5 on the road, 83–81, to trail 3-2 in the series, with Game 6 (and a Game 7 if needed) in Salt Lake City. The Jazz held a lead in most of Game 6, but the Bulls rallied, and in the last seconds of the game, Michael Jordan made a jump shot to win the game, 87–86, and the series for Chicago, 4-2.

1999–2003: Stockton and Malone's final years

In the 1999 season, shortened to 50 games due to a lockout, the Jazz finished the season 37–13, tied with the Spurs for the best record in the league. They defeated the Sacramento Kings in five games in the first round of the playoffs. However, they lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite yet another disappointment, Malone was awarded his second MVP.

During the 1999–00 season, the Jazz finished 55–27 and won the Midwest Division but once again struggled in the postseason, losing to the Portland Trail Blazers, again during the second round. During the offseason, Hornacek retired and Howard Eisley was traded in a four-team deal that brought in Donyell Marshall. They selected promising high school basketball star DeShawn Stevenson in the first round of the NBA Draft.

In the 2000–01 season, they went 53–29, but they faltered in the playoffs, surrendering a 2–0 series lead in the first round of the playoffs to the Dallas Mavericks, to lose the series 3-2. It was their earliest exit from the playoffs since the 1994-95 season.

In the 2001–02 season, Andrei Kirilenko made his rookie debut, averaging 10.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.91 blocks per game. The team started slowly, going 16-15 over the first two months, and finished 12-13 to go 44-38 overall. They lost to the Sacramento Kings 3–1 in the first round of the playoffs.

Prior to the 2002–03, Marshall and Russell moved on to other teams. Forward Matt Harpring was brought over from the Philadelphia 76ers. He took over the starting forward spot next to Malone and averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, the best numbers of his career. The Jazz approached 50 wins going into the playoffs, ultimately going 47–35. They faced the Sacramento Kings once again, losing in a seven-game first round series, 4–1.

After the season, the end of an era came when Stockton retired, and Malone left as a free agent to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

2003–06: Growing pains for the new Jazz

With their two franchise cornerstones in Malone and Stockton gone, the team was suddenly lacking a foundation going into the 2003–04 season. They were expected to finish near the bottom of the NBA by several NBA preview magazines, including Sports Illustrated. Surprisingly, the Jazz finished with a 42–40 record. The team featured several unheralded players who emerged into key contributors, including Kirilenko, Raja Bell, and Carlos Arroyo. In particular, Kirilenko demonstrated versatility on both offense and defense and earned a spot in the All-Star Game. The Jazz missed the playoffs by just one game to the Denver Nuggets, ending their streak of 20 consecutive seasons in the playoffs. Jerry Sloan finished second in the voting for the NBA Coach of the Year Award, losing to Hubie Brown of the Memphis Grizzlies.

During the offseason, the team made moves to bolster their roster, acquiring Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur as free agents and re-signing Carlos Arroyo and Gordan Giricek to extensions.

The 2004-05 season was marked by a series of injuries, first to Arroyo and Raul Lopez, and later to Boozer and Kirilenko, which were a large part of the team's fall to the bottom of the division. When healthy, Boozer filled the power forward position ably, averaging 17.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in 51 games. The Jazz ended the 2004–05 season with a record of 26–56, their worst since the 1981-82 season.

In the summer of 2005, the Jazz continued to shape their roster by trading three draft picks in order to acquire the #3 pick overall, which they used to select point guard Deron Williams of the University of Illinois. Other transactions included Raja Bell leaving the team for the Phoenix Suns, the Jazz re-obtaining center Greg Ostertag from the Kings, and oft-injured point guard Raul Lopez being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The 2005–06 season was injury-plagued before it even started; Boozer missed the first 49 games and Gordan Giricek and Kirilenko both missed significant time due to injuries. Okur and Kirilenko, however, showed consistently good play, while Williams, despite a mid-season slump, did not disappoint. However, team owner Larry Miller continually expressed his displeasure with the team's effort during that year. The Jazz stayed in the playoff race until the third-to-last game, when they lost to the Dallas Mavericks. The Jazz ended the season 41–41 and just 3 games out of the playoffs. Ostertag retired at the end of the season, having spent 10 of his 11 NBA seasons with the team.

In the 2006 NBA Draft, the Jazz selected promising University of Arkansas shooting guard Ronnie Brewer in the first round and in the second round selected point guard Dee Brown and power forward Paul Millsap. Several young players were traded away for Golden State Warriors guard Derek Fisher, giving them a veteran point guard. The Jazz were heralded by several major sports websites for drafting well and making good offseason moves.

2006-2010: Williams, Boozer, and Okur Era

During the '06-'07 season, the Jazz improved considerably compared to the prior years, finishing with a 51–31 record. Boozer was selected as an All-Star for the first time (though he missed the game to a minor injury) and center Mehmet Okur was selected to the All-Star game as well. Deron Williams had a breakout sophomore season, finishing third in the league in assists per game with 9.3 (behind Steve Nash and Chris Paul).

The team also developed a deep bench; in the 10 games that Boozer and Okur (the two leading scorers) missed, the team went 8–2. Paul Millsap was a pleasant surprise as a rookie, becoming a competent backup to Boozer. Despite the elevated play of the Jazz's budding stars, Kirilenko showed a significant drop in his statistics and seemed to struggle adapting to his reduced role. This eventually led to a well-publicized breakdown early in the first round of the playoffs.

The Jazz faced the Houston Rockets in the first round that year, a matchup of #4-#5 seeds (Utah was seeded higher due to winning the Northwest Division, but Houston had a 52-30 record opposed to Utah's 51-31, giving them homecourt in the series). It was a physical, close-fought matchup, with each of the first 6 games being won by the home team. The Jazz were able to break this trend in the 7th game, beating the Rockets 103–99 in Houston. The Jazz then went on to face the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors, who were coming off a historic upset of the #1-seeded Dallas Mavericks (who had gone 67–15 in the regular season, one of the best in NBA history). However, the Jazz easily handled the Warriors, winning the series 4–1. The Jazz then faced the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, but were unable to handle the more experienced Spurs, losing 4 games to 1 in the series to the eventual NBA Champions.

During the offseason, the Jazz gained a hometown D-League affiliate in the Utah Flash (based in Orem), which they shared with the Boston Celtics. They selected shooting guard Morris Almond in the first round, although ultimately they made few lineup changes. The most significant move was in letting Derek Fisher go. Fisher had become a fan favorite due to his strong play, and also a sympathetic one due to his daughter's well-publicized battle with a rare form of eye cancer. Fisher moved to Los Angeles during the offseason to be closer to better care for his daughter, and later signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won three championships from 2000–2002. Controversy arose after Andrei Kirilenko led his Russian national team to a win in EuroBasket 2007 (the European championship), a tournament in which he was named MVP. After this, Kirilenko posted on a blog that he wished to be traded from the Jazz and would be willing to walk away from his contract. He later reaffirmed this in interviews. However, no trade was made and he remained with the team.

During the 2007–08 season, after a trade that sent guard Gordan Giricek to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for guard Kyle Korver, the Jazz ran off a record-tying 19-game home winning streak and improved on the road after a rough December. Despite the off-season controversy and trade talk, Kirilenko elevated his play, improving all stats from the previous season and seeming content with his new role more as a defender and a facilitator as opposed to a scorer. Carlos Boozer again won an All-Star selection, while Deron Williams continued to elevate his play, averaging 13.3 assists per game in March (as opposed to 10.5 for the season as a whole). The Jazz finished the regular season 5th best in the west with a 54–28 record. For the first time since the 97-98 season, the Jazz sold out every home game, and they possessed a phenomenal 37-4 home record; this was, however, offset by a subpar road record.

The Jazz once again became matched against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, this time as a #4 seed (although the Rockets possessed home-court advantage due to a better record). The Jazz jumped out to a quick 2-0 series lead in Houston, but lost the first game in Salt Lake City. After splitting the next two games, the Jazz dealt the Rockets a 113-91 blowout victory in game 6, placing them into a second-round matchup with the #1 seed Los Angeles Lakers, their first postseason meeting since the since the 1998 Western Conference Finals. Utah lost games 1 and 2 in Los Angeles. However the Jazz held up their great home winning record by defeating Los Angeles in Games 3 and 4. The Jazz lost game 5 in L.A. and were eventually eliminated in Game 6. The Jazz made no major offseason moves during the following offseason, though Deron Williams was an integral part of the Gold-Medal winning Redeem Team at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

The 2008–09 season was difficult for the Jazz as they struggled with consistent injuries that continually disrupted the chemistry of the team, and although they were once again nearly unstoppable at home, they possessed a poor road record. Utah's top three players all missed significant times due to sickness or injuries; Deron Williams missed 13 of the first 15 games, Carlos Boozer missed more than half of the season, and Mehmet Okur missed sporadic time due to both injuries and his father's sickness that forced him to travel to his native Turkey early in the season. On February 20, 2009, Jazz owner Larry H. Miller died of complications from diabetes. His son, Greg Miller, became the new CEO of the team. The Jazz finished with a 48–34 record, causing them to slip to #8 in the competitive Western Conference playoff race, after which they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers for the second year in a row, 4 games to 1.

The season ended up being the last for long-time radio and former TV announcer Hot Rod Hundley, who announced his retirement after being with the Jazz for their entire history (35 years). Despite the disappointment, Deron Williams proved himself to be one of the elite point guards of the league, averaging 19.4 points and 10.8 assists per game, second in the league, despite playing the entire season with a lingering ankle injury.

During the 2009 NBA Draft, the Jazz selected point guard Eric Maynor #20 overall to back up Deron Williams. Veteran Matt Harpring retired, citing consistent injuries sustained from his physical playing style. Rumors began to circulate that Boozer wanted a trade, fueled by rumors that the Jazz were shopping him after he chose to "opt-in" to the last year of his contract; however, the team stated publicly that they were not seeking to trade him, and Boozer remained with the team heading into the 2009–10 season. The Jazz also added rookie shooting guard Wesley Matthews to the lineup after an impressive training camp.

As the 2009–10 season began, the Jazz stumbled a bit early, starting off 19-17. Several trades were made by the team during the season, one that sent promising rookie Eric Maynor and the contract of the retired Matt Harpring to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Another sent starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer to the Memphis Grizzlies at midseason, a trade which was openly criticized by Deron Williams. The Brewer trade cleared the way for Wesley Matthews to take over the starting shooting guard spot. Also, Deron Williams was selected to play in the All-Star Game for the first time, and after a controversial offseason, Carlos Boozer played better than the year prior, averaging 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, and missed only 4 games to injuries. He even suggested that he would be happy to stay with Utah long-term. After returning from an early season injury, Kyle Korver set the NBA record for three-point field goal percentage in a season.

In a tight Western Conference, the Jazz finished the season 53-29 and lost the division in a tiebreaker with the Denver Nuggets, ending with the #5 seed, matched up with the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Kirilenko, who had missed 13 of the last 15 games of the regular season due to a nagging calf muscle strain, re-aggravated the injury the day before the first game of the playoffs and missed the first round, while Mehmet Okur tore his Achilles tendon in the first game and missed the rest of the playoffs. Despite the injuries, the Jazz played well enough to defeat Denver 4-2 in the series. The Jazz were then eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers for the third year in a row, being swept 4-0 (the first 4 game sweep in Jazz history).

Summer of 2010 - Busy offseason

During the 2010 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz selected Gordon Hayward with the #9 overall pick, and Jeremy Evans in the second round.

Carlos Boozer agreed to a 5-year, $80 million contract with the Chicago Bulls in free agency on July 7, 2010. The Jazz turned the transaction into a sign-and-trade one day later, receiving a trade exception worth around $13 million in return from Chicago. Kyle Korver also agreed to sign with the Chicago Bulls, two days later, on July 9, 2010. Terms were not announced, but multiple reports have his deal for 3 years, $13 million.

Wesley Matthews signed a 5-year $33 million dollar offer sheet with the Portland Trail Blazers, as a restricted free agent, on July 10, 2010. The Jazz declined to match the offer, allowing Portland to acquire Matthews.

Less than a week after the Boozer defection, on July 13, 2010, the team traded Kosta Koufos and 2 future first round picks to Minnesota for Forward/Center Al Jefferson, using the trade exception from the Carlos Boozer deal to receive Jefferson's contract without exceeding the salary cap.

Raja Bell was added also, to provide backcourt help after the losses of Korver and Matthews. He was signed to a 3-year, $10 million contract.

On June 15, 2010, the Jazz unveiled a new color scheme and logo which represented a return to the old 'music note' logo. The team unveiled new uniforms on August 16.

The Jazz tendered restricted free-agent center Kyrylo Fesenko a $1 million qualifying offer in June 2010. The offer entitled Utah to match any offer that Fesenko received from another team, whether signed or not. Fesenko signed the offer on September 27, 2010, the day before training camp began.

On the eve of training camp, the Jazz added two more players, center Francisco Elson and guard Earl Watson to shore up the roster for the 2010-11 season.

Rivals

The Jazz have not had a natural or fierce rival throughout their history, where each team has been competitive with the other over a long period of time. There have been several teams they have ran into many times in the playoffs, however:

Houston (7) - 1985, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2008.

Los Angeles Lakers (6) - 1988, 1997, 1998, 2008, 2009, 2010

Portland (5) - 1991, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2000

Houston won two NBA Championships (1994, 1995) while defeating Utah along the way. Utah advanced to the NBA Finals both times that they defeated the Lakers, while LA has advanced to the Finals each year they defeated Utah in a series, winning NBA Championships in 1988, 2009, and 2010. Portland advanced to the NBA Finals in 1992 after defeating Utah as well.

Olympians

On June 23, 2008, it was officially announced that team members Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer were selected for the 2008 U.S. Olympic basketball team that participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in China. The Jazz were the only team in the NBA with two players on the 2008 U.S. Olympic squad. The "Redeem Team" was awarded the gold medal.

Williams and Boozer joined former Jazz players John Stockton and Karl Malone as the only Jazzmen to be selected to play for the U.S. team. Stockton and Malone won gold medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic games. Andrei Kirilenko represented his home country of Russia at the 2008 games.

Season-by-season records

The Jazz are one of only 3 teams to have never lost 60 games in a season. The other teams are the New York Knicks and the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers.

Arenas and Logos

Arenas

;In New Orleans

Loyola Field House (1974–1975)

Municipal Auditorium (1974–1975)

Louisiana Superdome (1975–1979)

;In Salt Lake City

Salt Palace (1979–1991)

EnergySolutions Arena (formerly the Delta Center) (1991–Present)

Logos

Uniforms

Since the team's move from New Orleans to Salt Lake City in 1979, the Utah Jazz have worn several uniforms throughout their franchise history. From 1979-1996, the Jazz' home uniforms consisted of the "basketball forming J music note to write on Jazz" logo on the center chest, with purple numbers. The only modification to this uniform was the word "Utah" being added to the center chest logo in 1986. On the road, the uniform is purple with white trim and numbers. In the years 1981-1984, the Jazz' road uniforms were dark green, with the aforementioned Jazz logo on the center chest and gold numbers. For the 1984-85 season, the dark green road uniforms were changed to purple, with white trim added around the gold numbers. These uniforms were worn until the 1995-96 season.

For the 1996-97 season, the Jazz drastically updated their logos and uniforms, with a new color scheme of purple, copper and turquoise. Their new uniform set featured a silhouette of the Wasatch Range on the center chest, with a stylish new Jazz script, and purple & turquoise details. On the road purple jersey, the white mountain range gradually fades to purple just above the numbers, which are white, with copper interior trim and teal outlining. On the home white jersey, the numbers are purple, with white interior trim and teal outlining. The Jazz wore these jerseys until the 2003-04 season.

The Jazz also introduced an alternate black jersey in the 1998-99 season, with the Jazz script on the center chest, but without the Wasatch Range silhouette. On this jersey, both the Jazz script and numbers are white, with purple interior trim and copper outlining, and copper side panels. These jerseys were worn until the 2003-04 season.

In the 2004-05 season, the Jazz once again updated their color scheme, logos and uniforms. The new color scheme, which the team used until the end of the 2009-10 season, consisted of navy blue, powder blue, silver & purple, though the latter color was only used on the primary logo and alternate logo. The team logo remained the same, for the exception of the new color variation. The new home uniform consisted of an updated "Jazz" script on the center chest in navy blue, with navy numbers, both of which had silver interior trim and powder blue outlining. The new road uniform was navy blue, with a "Utah" script in powder blue on the center chest and powder blue numbers, both of which had silver outlining and white interior trim.

In the 2006-07 season, the Jazz introduced a new alternate powder blue uniform. This uniform, which the team used until the end of the 2009-10 season, featured a Jazz script identical to the team logo and navy blue numbers below the script, also with silver and white trim. The nameplate on the back of the jersey was navy blue.

On June 15, 2010, the Jazz unveiled a new logo and color scheme on the team's official website. For the 2010-11 season, the Jazz will revert to the team's original music note logo (without the word Utah), with a new color scheme of navy blue, gold, dark green & gray. The new uniform set, which was unveiled on August 16, 2010, features a design nearly identical to the team's aforementioned 1980s uniform designs, with the following exceptions: navy blue replacing purple on the road jerseys, dark green numerals on the home white jerseys, a white Jazz logo script on the road jerseys and side panels on both the home and away jerseys. The new uniforms were a combination of both the old and new styles, with navy blue retained from the color scheme but the now-famous 'J-note' logo and gold and green were revived.

Players

Current roster

International rights

{| style="border:1px solid black;"

PF		Peter Fehse	2002 NBA Draft	48th pick
C		Ante Tomić	2008 NBA Draft	44th pick
PF		Tadija Dragićević	2008 NBA Draft	53rd pick

Basketball Hall Of Famers

Players:

"Pistol" Pete Maravich, G, 1974–1979, Inducted 1987.

Adrian Dantley, F/G, 1979–1986, Inducted 2008.

John Stockton, PG, 1984–2003, Inducted 2009

Karl Malone, PF, 1985–2003, Inducted 2010

Coaches:

Jerry Sloan, 1988–present, Inducted 2009

Broadcasters:

"Hot" Rod Hundley, 1974–2009, Inducted 2003

Retired numbers

1 Frank Layden Head Coach, 1981–1988

4 Adrian Dantley, F, 1979–1986

7 Pete Maravich, G, 1974–1979

9 Larry H. Miller, Owner, 1985-2009 (his death)

12 John Stockton, G, 1984–2003

14 Jeff Hornacek, G, 1994–2000

32 Karl Malone, F, 1985–2003

35 Darrell Griffith, G, 1980–1991

53 Mark Eaton, C, 1982–1993

microphone "Hot" Rod Hundley, broadcaster 1974-2009

Broadcasters

The Jazz's flagship radio stations are KFNZ and KBEE.

The Jazz signed a new exclusive 12 year agreement with FSN Utah on October 20, 2009, ending the team's broadcasts on KJZZ-TV.

The Current team's announcers are:

Craig Bolerjack (TV play-by-play)

Matt Harpring (TV color commentary)

David Locke (radio play-by-play)

Ron Boone (radio broadcast analyst)

Dan Roberts (public address announcer, home games)

David James (TV Host pre and post game)

Thurl Bailey (TV broadcast analyst)

Pace Mannion (TV broadcast analyst)

Steve Brown (TV sideline reporter)

Retired Announcers:

Rod Hundley (TV and Radio play-by-play)(1974–2009)

Franchise leaders

Career

*Games: John Stockton (1,504)

*Minutes Played: Karl Malone (53,479)

*Field Goals Made: Karl Malone (13,335)

*Field Goal Attempts: Karl Malone (25,810)

*3-Point Field Goals Made: John Stockton (845)

*3-Point Field Goal Attempts: John Stockton (2,203)

*Free Throws Made: Karl Malone (9,619)

*Free Throw Attempts: Karl Malone (12,963)

*Offensive Rebounds: Karl Malone (3,501)

*Defensive Rebounds: Karl Malone (11,100)

*Total Rebounds: Karl Malone (14,601)

*Assists**: John Stockton (15,806)

*Steals**: John Stockton (3,265)

*Blocked Shots: Mark Eaton (3,064)

*Turnovers: Karl Malone (4,421)

*Personal Fouls: Karl Malone (4,462)

*Points: Karl Malone (36,374)

Per Game

*Minutes Played: Truck Robinson (43.35)

*Field Goals Made: Adrian Dantley (10.65)

*Field Goal Attempts: Pete Maravich (22.75)

*3-Point Field Goals Made: Jeff Hornacek (0.92)

*3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Bryon Russell (2.32)

*Free Throws Made: Adrian Dantley (8.27)

*Free Throw Attempts: Adrian Dantley (10.11)

*Offensive Rebounds: Truck Robinson (3.50)

*Defensive Rebounds: Truck Robinson (11.42)

*Total Rebounds: Truck Robinson (14.92)

*Assists: John Stockton (10.51)

*Steals: John Stockton (2.17)

*Blocked Shots: Mark Eaton (3.50)

*Turnovers: Pete Maravich (4.25)

*Personal Fouls: Danny Schayes (3.85)

*Points: Adrian Dantley (29.58)

Per 48 Minutes

*Field Goals Made: Adrian Dantley (13.16)

*Field Goal Attempts: Pete Maravich (28.48)

*3-Point Field Goals Made: Chris Morris (1.85)

*3-Point Field Goal Attempts: Chris Morris (6.08)

*Free Throws Made: John Drew (10.97)

*Free Throw Attempts: John Drew (14.28)

*Offensive Rebounds: Ron Behagen (5.52)

*Defensive Rebounds: Truck Robinson (12.65)

*Total Rebounds: Rich Kelley (16.72)

*Assists: John Stockton (15.88)

*Steals: Carey Scurry (3.65)

*Blocked Shots: Mark Eaton (5.84)

*Turnovers: Jim Les (5.55)

*Personal Fouls: Eric Leckner (10.30)

*Points: John Drew (36.98)

:** – Leads NBA

Head coaches

{|border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 85%;" !Years !Coach !Record |- |1974–1975 |Scotty Robertson |1–14 |- |1974–1975 |Elgin Baylor |0–1 |- |1974–1977 |Bill Van Breda Kolff |74–100 |- |1977–1979 |Elgin Baylor |86–134 |- |1979–1981 |Tom Nissalke |60–124 |- |1981–1988 |Frank Layden |277–294 |- |1988–present |Jerry Sloan |1146-758 |- |1974–2009 |Total |1610–1338 |}

*Games completed through November 28, 2009

Official Utah Jazz Fan Engagement Site

In 2009, the Utah Jazz, with the help of GAGA Sports & Entertainment, launched JAZZ Connection, the official Fan Engagement Site for Utah Jazz Fans.

References

External links

Official Utah Jazz Website

Official Utah Jazz Blog and Online Community

Utah Jazz History

UtahStories.com Larry H. Miller Legacy and Jazz History

Jazz Basketball Investors Inc.

Utah Jazz news and updates

Official Utah Jazz Fan Engagement Site

Utah Jazz Polish Fan Site

Category:National Basketball Association teams Category:Basketball clubs established in 1974 Category:Sports clubs established in 1974 Jazz Category:Sports in Salt Lake City, Utah Category:Basketball teams in Utah

Sundiata Kofi Gaines (born August 18, 1986) is an American professional basketball player.

A 6'1" point guard, Gaines was signed by the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association on January 5, 2010. Before joining the Jazz, he had averaged 23.9 points and 6.9 assists in 14 games with the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League. He also played professionally in Italy.

On January 14, 2010, in just his fifth NBA game, and after just one practice with the Utah Jazz, Gaines hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Jazz a dramatic 97-96 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the first 3-pointer of his NBA career.

On November 11, 2010, Sundiata Gaines signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was waived on January 4, 2011.

On January 13, 2011, Sundiata Gaines signed a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors.

References

External links

NBA.com profile

NBA Development League player profile

Sundiata Gaines Basketball Player Profile, stats, biography, career - USBASKET

Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:African American basketball players Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy Category:Basketball players from New York Category:Georgia Bulldogs basketball players Category:People from Queens Category:Point guards Category:Utah Jazz players Category:Minnesota Timberwolves players Category:Idaho Stampede players Category:Archbishop Molloy High School alumni Category:Undrafted National Basketball Association players

Name	Kobe Bryant
Width	233px
Caption	Bryant in February 2007
Position	Shooting guard
Height ft	6
Height in	6
Weight lb	205
Team	Los Angeles Lakers
Number	24
Birth date	August 23, 1978
Birthplace	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nationality	American
High school	Lower Merion HS, Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Draft year	1996
Draft round	1
Draft pick	13
Draft team	Charlotte Hornets
Career start	1996
Teams
Highlights

Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country. He decided to declare his eligibility for the NBA Draft upon graduation, and was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest.

Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. A heated feud between the duo and a loss in the 2004 NBA Finals led to O'Neal's departure following the 2003–04 season. In 2003, Bryant was accused of sexual assault after having sex with a hotel employee in Edwards, Colorado. In September 2004, prosecutors dropped the case after his accuser refused to testify, and Bryant had to rebuild his image while becoming the cornerstone of the Lakers. He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, setting numerous scoring records in the process. second only to Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point performance. After losing in the 2008 NBA Finals, Bryant led the Lakers to two consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010 and was named NBA Finals MVP on both occasions.

Bryant currently ranks fourth and ninth on the league's post-season scoring and all-time scoring lists, respectively. He is also the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. Since his second year in the league, Bryant has started in every NBA All-Star Game that has been held with twelve All-Star appearances, winning the All-Star MVP Award three times (2002, 2007, and 2009). He is a twelve-time member of the All-NBA team and ten-time All-Defensive team, and is the youngest player ever to receive defensive honors. At the 2008 Olympics, he won a gold medal as a member of the USA national team. In 2009, Sporting News and TNT named Bryant the NBA player of the 2000s decade.

Early years

Childhood and youth

Kobe Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the youngest of three children and the only son of former Philadelphia 76ers player and former Los Angeles Sparks head coach Joe "Jellybean" Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant. Bryant was raised Roman Catholic. When Bryant was six, his father left the NBA and moved his family to Italy to begin playing professional basketball. Bryant became accustomed to his new lifestyle and learned to speak Italian and Spanish fluently. During summers, Bryant would come back to the United States to play in a basketball summer league. He started playing basketball when he was 3 years old, and his favorite team growing up was the Lakers. Bryant's grandfather would mail him videos of NBA games, which Bryant would study. He has said that if he had stayed in Italy, he would have tried to become a professional soccer player; Upon Joe Bryant's retirement from playing basketball in 1991, the Bryant family moved back to the United States.

High school

Bryant earned national recognition during a spectacular high school career at Lower Merion High School located in the Philadelphia suburb of Lower Merion. As a freshman, he played for the varsity (junior and senior) basketball team. His father coached him his sophomore year of high school. Although during his first year the team was mediocre, the following three years the Aces compiled a 77-13 record, with Bryant playing all five positions. while playing alongside future NBA teammate Lamar Odom. While in high school, then 76ers coach John Lucas invited Bryant to work out and scrimmage with the team, where he played one-on-one with Jerry Stackhouse. In his senior year of high school, Bryant led the Aces to their first state championship in 53 years. During the run, he averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.8 blocked shots in leading the Aces to a 31–3 record. He ended his career as Southeastern Pennsylvania's all-time leading scorer at 2,883 points, surpassing both Wilt Chamberlain and Lionel Simmons. Bryant received several awards for his performance his senior year including being named Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Men's National Basketball Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, and a USA Today All-USA First Team player. Bryant's varsity coach, Greg Downer, commented that Bryant was "a complete player who dominates". though the two were/are just friends. His SAT score of 1080 would have ensured his basketball scholarship to various top-tier colleges. Ultimately, however, the 17-year-old Bryant made the decision to go directly into the NBA, only the sixth player in NBA history to do so.

NBA career

1996 NBA Draft

The first guard to ever be taken out of high school, Bryant was chosen as the 13th overall draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996. However, according to Arn Tellem, Bryant's agent at the time, Bryant playing for the Charlotte Hornets was "an impossibility". However, Bill Branch, the Hornets' head scout at the time, said that the Hornets agreed to trade their draft selection to the Lakers the day before the draft. The Lakers didn't tell the Hornets who to select until five minutes before the pick was made. Prior to the draft, Bryant had worked out in Los Angeles, in which he scrimmaged against former Lakers players Larry Drew and Michael Cooper, and according to then-Laker manager Jerry West "marched over these people". On July 1, 1996, West traded his starting center, Vlade Divac, to the Hornets in exchange for Bryant's draft rights. Since he was still 17 at the time of the draft, his parents had to cosign his contract with the Lakers until he was able to sign his own when he turned 18 before the season began.

First three seasons (1996–99)

During his rookie season, Bryant mostly came off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. At the time he became the youngest player ever to play in an NBA game (a record since broken by teammate Andrew Bynum), and also became the youngest NBA starter ever. Initially, Bryant played limited minutes, but as the season continued, he began to see some more playing time. By the end of the season, he averaged 15.5 minutes a game. During the All-Star weekend, Bryant was the winner of the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the youngest player to be named the slam dunk champion at the age of 18. Bryant's performance throughout the year earned him a spot on the NBA All Rookie second team with fellow bench teammate Travis Knight. His final minutes of the season ended in disaster when he shot 3 air balls at crucial times in the game.

In Bryant's second season, he received more playing time and began to show more of his abilities as a talented young guard. As a result Bryant's point averages more than doubled from 7.6 to 15.4 points per game. Bryant would see an increase in minutes when the Lakers "played small", which would feature Bryant playing small forward along side the guards he'd usually back up. Bryant was the runner-up for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award, and through fan voting, he also became the youngest NBA All-Star starter in NBA history. He was joined by fellow team mates Shaquille O'Neal, Nick Van Exel, and Eddie Jones, making it the first time since 1983 that four players on the same team were selected to play in the same All-Star Game. Bryant's 15.4 points per game was the highest of any non-starter in the season.

The 1998–99 season marked Bryant's emergence as a premiere guard in the league. With starting guards Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones traded, Bryant started every game for the lockout-shortened 50 game season. During the season, Bryant signed a 6-year contract extension worth $70 million. The playoff results, however, were no better, as the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals.

Three-peat (1999–2002)

Bryant's fortunes would soon change when Phil Jackson became coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999. After years of steady improvement, Bryant became one of the premier shooting guards in the league, earning appearances in the league's All-NBA, All-Star, and All-Defensive teams. The Los Angeles Lakers became premier championship contenders under Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who formed an outstanding center-guard combination. Jackson utilized the triangle offense he used to win six championships with the Chicago Bulls, which would help both Bryant and O'Neal rise to the elite class of the NBA. The three resulting championships won consecutively in 2000, 2001, and 2002 further proved such a fact.

Bryant started the 1999–2000 season sidelined for six weeks due to an injury to his hand in a preseason game against the Washington Wizards. With Bryant back and playing over 38 minutes a game, he saw an increase in all statistical categories in the 1999–2000 season. This included leading the team in assists per game and steals per game. The duo of O'Neal and Bryant backed with a strong bench led to the Lakers winning 67 games, tied for fifth-most in NBA history. This followed with O'Neal winning the MVP and Bryant being named to the All-NBA Team Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team for the first time in his career (the youngest player ever to receive defensive honors). While playing second fiddle to O'Neal in the playoffs, Bryant had some clutch performances including a 25 point, 11 rebound, 7 assist, 4 block game in game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. He also threw an alley-oop pass to O'Neal to clinch the game and the series. In the 2000 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Bryant injured his ankle in the second quarter of game 2 and missed the rest of the game and game 3. In game 4, Bryant scored 22 points in the second half, and led the team to an overtime victory as O'Neal fouled out of the game. Bryant scored the winning shot to put the Lakers ahead 120–118. With a game 6 victory, the Lakers won their first championship since 1988.

Statistically, the 2000–01 season saw Bryant perform similarly to the previous year except Bryant was averaging 6 more points a game (28.5). It was also the year when disagreements between Bryant and O'Neal began to surface. Once again he led the team in assists with 5 per game. The Lakers however, only won 56 games, an 11 game drop off from last year. The Lakers would respond by going 15–1 in the playoffs. They easily swept the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs, before losing their first game against the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime. They would go on to win the next 4 games and bring their second championship to Los Angeles in as many seasons. During the playoffs Bryant played heavy minutes which brought his stats up to 29.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. In the playoffs teammate O'Neal declared Bryant the best player in the league. Bryant ended up making the All NBA Second team and All NBA Defensive Team for the second year in a row. In addition, he was also voted to start in the NBA All-Star Game for the 3rd year in a row (no game in 1999).

In the 2001–02 season, Bryant played 80 games for the first time in his career. He continued his all-round play by averaging 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He also had a career high 46.9% shooting and once again led his team in assists. While making the All-Star team and All-NBA Defensive team again, he was also promoted to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. The Lakers won 58 games that year and finished second place in the Pacific Division behind in-state rival Sacramento Kings. The road to the Finals would prove a lot tougher than the record run the Lakers had the previous year. While the Lakers swept the Trail Blazers and defeated the Spurs 4–1, the Lakers did not have home court advantage against the Sacramento Kings. The series would stretch to 7 games, the first time this happened to the Lakers since the Western Conference Finals in the 2000 NBA Playoffs. However, the Lakers were able to beat their division rivals and make their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance. In the 2002 Finals, Bryant averaged 26.8 points, 51.4% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game, which included scoring a quarter of the teams points. At age 23, Bryant became the youngest player to win three championships. This cemented Bryant's reputation as a clutch player.

Coming up short (2002–04)

In the 2002–03 season, Bryant averaged 30 points per game and embarked on a historic run, posting 40 or more points in nine consecutive games while averaging 40.6 in the entire month of February. In addition, he averaged 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, all career highs up to that point. Bryant was once again voted on to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive 1st teams,

In the following 2003–04 season, the Lakers were able to acquire NBA All-Stars Karl Malone, and Gary Payton to make another push at the NBA Championship. Before the season began, Bryant was arrested for sexual assault. This caused Bryant to miss some games due to court appearances or attend court earlier in the day and travel to play games later in same day. In the final game of the regular season the Lakers played the Portland Trail Blazers. Bryant made two buzzer beaters to win the game and the Pacific Division title. At the end of the fourth quarter, Bryant made a three-pointer as time ran out to tie the game and send it into over time. The game eventually went to a second over time and Bryant made another three pointer as time expired to lift the Lakers past the Trail Blazers 105–104. In the Finals, they were defeated in five games by the Detroit Pistons, who won their first championship since 1990. In that series, Bryant averaged 22.6 points per game and 4.4 assists. He shot a mere 35.1% from the field. Phil Jackson's contract as coach was not renewed, and Rudy Tomjanovich took over. Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant. The following day, Bryant declined an offer to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year contract.

Playoffs disappointments (2004–07)

in October 2005]] Bryant was closely scrutinized and criticized during the 2004–05 season with his reputation badly damaged from all that had happened over the previous year. A particularly damaging salvo came when Phil Jackson wrote . The book detailed the events of the Lakers' tumultuous 2003–04 season and has a number of criticisms of Bryant. In the book Jackson called Bryant "uncoachable". Midway through the season, Rudy Tomjanovich suddenly resigned as Lakers coach, citing the recurrence of health problems and exhaustion. Without Tomjanovich, stewardship of the remainder of the Lakers' season fell to career assistant coach Frank Hamblen. Despite the fact that Bryant was the league's second leading scorer at 27.6 points per game, the Lakers floundered and missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. The year signified a drop in Bryant's overall status in the NBA, as he did not make the NBA All-Defensive Team and was also demoted to the All-NBA Third Team. During the season, Bryant also engaged in public feuds with Ray Allen and Karl Malone.

The 2005–06 NBA season would mark a crossroads in Bryant's basketball career. Despite past differences with Bryant, Phil Jackson returned to coach the Lakers. Bryant endorsed the move, and by all appearances, the two men worked together well the second time around, leading the Lakers back into the playoffs. Bryant's individual scoring accomplishments posted resulted in the finest statistical season of his career. On December 20, 2005, Bryant scored 62 points in three quarters against the Dallas Mavericks. Entering the fourth quarter, Bryant had outscored the entire Mavericks team 62–61, the only time a player has done this through three quarters since the advent of the 24-second shot clock. When the Lakers faced the Miami Heat on January 16, 2006, Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal made headlines by engaging in handshakes and hugs before the game, signifying a change in the feud that had festered between the two players. A month later, at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, the two were seen laughing together.

in Staples Center, second highest single scoring performance in NBA history, surpassed only by Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962.]] On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a victory against the Toronto Raptors. In addition to breaking the previous franchise record of 71 set by Elgin Baylor, Bryant's 81-point game was the second highest point total in NBA history, surpassed only by Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962. In that same month, Bryant also became the first player since 1964 to score 45 points or more in four consecutive games, joining Chamberlain and Baylor as the only players ever to do so. For the month of January, Bryant averaged 43.4 points per game, the eighth highest single month scoring average in NBA history and highest for any player other than Chamberlain. By the end of the 2005-06 season, Bryant set Lakers single-season franchise records for most 40-point games (27) and most points scored (2,832). He won the league's scoring title for the first time, posting a scoring average of (35.4). Bryant finished in fourth place in the voting for the 2006 NBA Most Valuable Player Award, but received 22 first place votes—second only to winner Steve Nash. The Los Angeles Lakers posted a 45–37 record, an eleven-game improvement over the previous season, and the entire squad seemed to be clicking.

Later in the season, it was reported that Bryant would change his jersey number from 8 to 24 at the start of the 2006–07 NBA season. Bryant's first high school number was 24 before he switched to 33. After the Lakers' season ended, Bryant said on TNT that he wanted 24 as a rookie, but it was unavailable, as was 33, retired with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bryant wore 143 at the Adidas ABCD camp, and chose 8 by adding those numbers. Despite Bryant's 27.9 points per game in the series, the Lakers broke down, and ultimately fell to the Suns in seven games. In the 2006 off-season, Bryant had knee surgery, preventing him from participating in the 2006 FIBA World Championship tournament.

During the 2006–07 season, Bryant was selected to his 9th All-Star Game appearance, and on February 18, he logged 31 points, 6 assists, and 6 steals, earning his second career All-Star Game MVP trophy. Over the course of the season, Bryant became involved in a number of on court incidents. On January 28 while attempting to draw contact on a potential game winning jumpshot, he flailed his arm striking San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili in the face with his elbow. Following a league review, Bryant was suspended for the subsequent game at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. The basis given for the suspension was that Bryant had performed an "unnatural motion" in swinging his arm backwards. Later, on March 6, he seemed to repeat the motion, this time striking Minnesota Timberwolves guard Marko Jarić. In his first game back on March 9, he elbowed Kyle Korver in the face which was retroactively re-classified as a Type 1 flagrant foul. The following game, Bryant recorded 50 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after which he scored 60 points in a road win against the Memphis Grizzlies—becoming the second Laker to score three straight 50-plus point games, a feat not seen since Michael Jordan last did it in 1987. The only other Laker to do so was Elgin Baylor, who also scored 50+ in three consecutive contests in December 1962. Bryant finished the year with a total of ten 50-plus point games, becoming the only player beside Wilt Chamberlain in 1961–62 and 1962–63 to do so in one season. He also won his second straight scoring title that season. Throughout the 2006–07 season, Bryant's jersey became the top selling NBA jersey in the United States and China. A number of journalists have attributed the improved sales to Bryant's new number, as well as his continuing All-Star performance on the court. In the 2007 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers were once again eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns, 4–1.

MVP year (2007–08)

On May 27, 2007, ESPN reported that Bryant stated that he wanted to be traded if Jerry West did not return to the team with full authority. Bryant later confirmed his desire for West's return to the franchise, but denied stating that he would want to be traded if that does not occur. However, three days later, on Stephen A. Smith's radio program, Bryant expressed anger over a Lakers "insider" who claimed that Bryant was responsible for Shaquille O'Neal's departure from the team, and publicly stated, "I want to be traded." Three hours after making that statement, Bryant stated in another interview that after having a conversation with head coach Phil Jackson, he has reconsidered his decision and backed off his trade request. Bryant would later be shown on an infamous amateur video saying that center Andrew Bynum should have been traded for All-Star Jason Kidd.

in 6 games during the 2008 NBA Finals.]] On December 23, 2007, Bryant became the youngest player (29 years, 122 days) to reach 20,000 points, in a game against the New York Knicks, in Madison Square Garden. Despite an injury to his shooting hand's small finger, described as "a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament, an avulsion fracture, and a volar plate injury at the MCP joint" that occurred in a game on February 5, 2008, Bryant played all 82 games of the regular season instead of opting for surgery. Regarding his injury, he stated, "I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until after our Lakers season, and this summer's Olympic Games. But, this is an injury that and the Lakers' medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis." In early September 2008, Bryant decided not to have surgery to repair the injury.

Leading his team to a West best 57–25 record, they swept the Nuggets in the first round and on May 6, 2008, Bryant was officially announced as the NBA Most Valuable Player award, his first for his career. Jerry West, who was responsible for bringing Bryant to the Lakers, was on hand at the press conference to observe Bryant receive his MVP trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern. He stated, "Kobe deserved it. He's had just another great season. Doesn't surprise me one bit." In addition to winning his MVP award, Bryant was the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA team on May 8, 2008 for the third straight season and sixth time in his career. He would then headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team with Kevin Garnett, receiving 52 points overall including 24 first-place nods, earning his eighth selection.

The Lakers concluded the 2007–08 regular season with a 57–25 record, finishing first in the Western Conference and setting up themselves for a first-round contest against the Nuggets. In Game 1, Bryant, who said he made himself a decoy through most of the game, scored 18 of his 32 points in the final 8 minutes to keep Los Angeles safely ahead. That made Denver the first 50-win team to be swept out of the first round of the playoffs since the Memphis Grizzlies fell in four to the San Antonio Spurs in 2004. In the first game of the next round against the Jazz, Bryant scored 38 points as the Lakers beat the Jazz in Game 1. The Lakers won the next game as well, but dropped Games 3 and 4, even with Bryant putting up 33.5 points per game. The Lakers then won the next two games to win the semifinals in 6. The Lakers then lost to the Boston Celtics in 6 games.

Repeat (2008–10)

record with 61 points]]

In the 2008–09 season, the Lakers opened the campaign by winning their first seven games. Bryant led the team to tie the franchise record for most wins to start the season going 17–2, and by the middle of December they compiled a 21–3 record. He was selected to his eleventh consecutive All-Star Game as a starter, and was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for December and January in addition to being named Western Conference Player of the week three times. In a game against the Knicks on February 2, 2009, Bryant scored 61 points, setting a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden. During the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, Bryant who tallied 27 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals was awarded All-Star Game co-MVP with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal. The Lakers finished the regular season with the best record in the west with a 65–17 record. Bryant was runner-up in the MVP voting behind LeBron James, and was selected to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team for the seventh time in his career.

NBA Champions Los Angeles Lakers]] In the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz in five games and the Houston Rockets in seven games in the opening two rounds. After finishing off the Denver Nuggets in the Conference Finals in six games, the Lakers earned their second straight trip to the NBA Finals where they defeated the Orlando Magic in five games. Bryant was awarded his first NBA Finals MVP trophy upon winning his fourth championship, becoming the first player since Jerry West in the 1969 NBA Finals to average at least 32.4 points and 7.4 assists for a finals series and the first since Michael Jordan to average 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for a title-winning team in the finals.

During the 2009–10 season, Bryant made six game-winning shots including a buzzer-beating, one-legged three point shot against the Miami Heat on December 4, 2009. Bryant considered the shot one of the luckiest he has made. Despite the injury, Bryant elected to continue playing with it, rather than take any time off to rest the injury. Bryant also became the youngest player (31 years, 151 days) to reach 25,000 points during the season, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain. He continued his dominant clutch plays making yet another game winning three-pointer against the Sacramento Kings, and what would be the game-winning field goal against the Boston Celtics. The following day, he surpassed Jerry West to become the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. After being sidelined for five games from an ankle injury, Bryant made his return and made another clutch three-pointer to give the Lakers a one point lead with four seconds remaining against the Memphis Grizzlies. Two weeks later, he made his sixth game-winning shot of the season against the Toronto Raptors.

of the Orlando Magic on January 18, 2010]] (left) and Bryant (center) with Barack Obama (right) on January 25, 2010]]On April 2, 2010, Bryant signed a three-year contract extension worth $87 million. Bryant finished the regular season missing four of the final five games, due to injuries to his knee and finger. Bryant suffered multiple injuries throughout the season and as a result, missed nine games. The Lakers began the playoffs as the number one seed in the Western Conference against the Oklahoma City Thunder, eventually defeating them in six games. The Lakers swept the Utah Jazz in the second round and advanced to the Western Conference Finals, where they faced Phoenix Suns. In Game 2, Bryant finished the game with 13 assists, setting a new playoff career high; it was the most assists by a Laker in the playoffs since Magic Johnson had 13 in 1996. The Lakers went on to win the series in six games capturing the Western Conference Championship and advancing to the NBA Finals for a third straight season. In a rematch against the 2008 Champions Boston Celtics, Bryant, despite shooting 6 for 24 from the field, led the Lakers back from a thirteen-point third quarter deficit in Game 7 to win the championship; he scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter, and finished the game with 15 rebounds. Bryant won his fifth championship and earned his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP award. This marked the first time the Lakers won a Game 7 against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Bryant said that this was the most satisfying of all of his five championships.

2010–11 season

The Lakers started the 2010–11 season by winning their first eight games. In his ninth game of the season, playing against the Denver Nuggets, Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 26,000 career points. Bryant also recorded his first triple double since January 21, 2009.

Player profile

.]] Bryant is a shooting guard who is capable of playing the small forward position. He is considered one of the most complete players in the NBA, has been selected to every All-NBA Team since 1999, and has been featured in the last twelve NBA All-Star games. In 2007, an ESPN poll of sportswriters voted him as the second best shooting guard in NBA history behind Jordan. He is known for his ability to create shots for himself and is a standout three-point shooter, sharing the single-game NBA record for three pointers made with twelve. Bryant is often cited as one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA, though his 45.4% career field goal average is considered moderate. He utilizes his wide array of moves and shots to elude defenders and score from virtually anywhere on the floor. Some of Bryant's best moves are his turnaround jump shot, and his ability to post up his defenders and score with a fadeaway jumpshot. Chris Ballard, a Sports Illustrated NBA writer, describes a "jab step-and-pause" as a move Bryant uses where he jabs his non-pivot foot forward to let the defender relax and instead of bringing the jab foot back, he pushes off it and drive around his opponent to get to the basket.

Aside from his scoring ability, he has established himself as a standout defender, having made the All-Defensive first or second team ten of the last eleven seasons. For nine consecutive seasons, Bryant has been selected by an NBA GM survey as the player they most want taking the shot with the game on the line. Both Sporting News and TNT named Bryant the NBA player of the 2000s decade.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 71 || 6 || 15.5 || .417 || .375 || .819 || 1.9 || 1.3 || .7 || .3 || 7.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 79 || 1 || 26.0 || .428 || .341 || .794 || 3.1 || 2.5 || .9 || .5 || 15.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 50 || 50 || 37.9 || .465 || .267 || .839 || 5.3 || 3.8 || 1.4 || 1.0 || 19.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 66 || 62 || 38.2 || .468 || .319 || .821 || 6.3 || 4.9 || 1.6 || .9 || 22.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 68 || 68 || 40.9 || .464 || .305 || .853 || 5.9 || 5.0 || 1.7 || .6 || 28.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 80 || 80 || 38.3 || .469 || .250 || .829 || 5.5 || 5.5 || 1.5 || .4 || 25.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 82 || 82 || 41.5 || .451 || .383 || .843 || 6.9 || 5.9 || 2.2 || .8 || 30.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 65 || 64 || 37.6 || .438 || .327 || .852 || 5.5 || 5.1 || 1.7 || .4 || 24.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 66 || 66 || 40.7 || .433 || .339 || .816 || 5.9 || 6.0 || 1.3 || .8 || 27.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 80 || 80 || 41.0 || .450 || .347 || .850 || 5.3 || 4.5 || 1.8 || .4 || 35.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 77 || 77 || 40.8 || .463 || .344 || .868 || 5.7 || 5.4 || 1.4 || .5 || 31.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 82 || 82 || 38.9 || .459 || .361 || .840 || 6.3 || 5.4 || 1.8 || .5 || 28.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 82 || 82 || 36.1 || .467 || .351 || .856 || 5.2 || 4.9 || 1.5 || .4 || 26.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 73 || 73 || 38.8 || .456 || .329 || .811 || 5.4 || 5.0 || 1.6 || .3 || 27.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| Career | style="text-align:left;"| | 1021 || 873 || 36.4 || .455 || .340 || .838 || 5.3 || 4.7 || 1.5 || .6 || 25.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| All-Star | style="text-align:left;"| | 11 || 11 || 27.1 || .503 || .354 || .778 || 4.5 || 4.6 || 2.7 || .4 || 18.8

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 1996–97 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 9 || 0 || 14.8 || .382 || .261 || .867 || 1.2 || 1.2 || .3 || .2 || 8.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 1997–98 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 11 || 0 || 20.0 || .408 || .214 || .689 || 1.9 || 1.5 || .3 || .7 || 8.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 1998–99 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 8 || 8 || 39.4 || .430 || .348 || .800 || 6.9 || 4.6 || 1.9 || 1.2 || 19.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 1999–00 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 22 || 22 || 39.0 || .442 || .344 || .754 || 4.5 || 4.4 || 1.5 || 1.5 || 21.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2000–01 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 16 || 16 || 43.4 || .469 || .324 || .821 || 7.3 || 6.1 || 1.6 || .8 || 29.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2001–02 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 19 || 19 || 43.8 || .434 || .379 || .759 || 5.8 || 4.6 || 1.4 || .9 || 26.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2002–03 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 12 || 12 || 44.3 || .432 || .403 || .827 || 5.1 || 5.2 || 1.2 || .1 || 32.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2003–04 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 22 || 22 || 44.2 || .413 || .247 || .813 || 4.7 || 5.5 || 1.9 || .3 || 24.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 7 || 7 || 44.9 || .497 || .400 || .771 || 6.3 || 5.1 || 1.1 || .4 || 27.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 5 || 5 || 43.0 || .462 || .357 || .919 || 5.2 || 4.4 || 1.0 || .4 || 32.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 21 || 21 || 41.1 || .479 || .302 || .809 || 5.7 || 5.6 || 1.7 || .4 || 30.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 23 || 23 || 40.8 || .457 || .349 || .883 || 5.3 || 5.5 || 1.7 || .9 || 30.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10 | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 23 || 23 || 40.1 || .458 || .374 || .842 || 6.0 || 5.5 || 1.4 || .7 || 29.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| Career | style="text-align:left;"| | 198 || 178 || 39.4 || .448 || .337 || .815 || 5.2 || 4.8 || 1.4 || .7 || 25.5

Accomplishments and records

International career

at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] }}

Bryant's senior international career with the United States national team began in 2006. He was a member of the 2007 USA Men's Senior National Team and USA FIBA Americas Championship Team that finished 10–0, won gold and qualified the United States men for the 2008 Olympics. He started in all 10 of the USA's FIBA Americas Championship games. He is ranked third on the team for made and attempted free throws, ranked fourth for made field goals, made 3-pointers. Among all FIBA Americas Championship competitors, Bryant is ranked 15th in scoring, 14th in assists, and eighth in steals. Bryant scored double-digits in eight of the 10 games played. Bryant also made the game winning jumper above the foul line with seconds left in the game. He currently averages a .530 shooting percentage, with 16.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

As a part of his international expansion, he is also featured in a Chinese reality TV show, called the Kobe Mentu show, which documents Chinese basketball players on different teams going through drills, preparing to play each other while Bryant gives advice and words of encouragement to the players while they practice.

On June 23, 2008, he was named to the USA Men's Senior National Team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. This was his first time going to the Olympics. Bryant scored 20 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, along with six assists, as Team USA defeated Spain 118–107 in the gold medal game of the 2008 Summer Olympics on August 24, 2008, for its first gold medal in a worldwide international competition since the 2000 Olympics. He averaged 15.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting .462 from the field in eight Olympic contests.

Bryant has committed to playing for the national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Off the court

Personal life

In November 1999, 21-year-old Bryant met 17-year-old Vanessa Laine while she was working as a background dancer on the Tha Eastsidaz music video "G'd Up". Bryant was in the building working on his debut musical album, which was never released. The two began dating and became engaged just six months later in May 2000,

They married on April 18, 2001, at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church in Dana Point, California. Neither Bryant's parents, his two sisters, longtime advisor and agent Arn Tellem, nor Bryant's Laker teammates attended. Bryant's parents were opposed to the marriage for a number of reasons. Reportedly Bryant's parents had problems with him marrying so young, especially to a woman who was not African-American. In an early 2007 interview, it was revealed that Bryant still speaks Italian fluently.

Sexual assault allegation

In the summer of 2003, the sheriff's office of Eagle, Colorado arrested Bryant in connection with an investigation of a sexual assault complaint filed by 19-year old hotel employee Katelyn Faber. Bryant had checked into The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera hotel in Eagle in advance of undergoing knee surgery nearby. Faber accused Bryant of raping her in his hotel room the night before Bryant was to have the procedure. Bryant admitted an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser, but denied her sexual assault allegation.

The accusation tarnished Bryant's reputation, as the public's perception of Bryant plummeted, and his endorsement contracts with McDonald's and Nutella were terminated. Sales for Bryant's replica jersey fell significantly from their previous highs. However, in September 2004, the assault case was dropped by prosecutors after Faber refused to testify in the trial. Afterward, Bryant agreed to apologize to Faber for the incident, including his public mea culpa: "Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did." Faber filed a separate civil lawsuit against Bryant, which the two sides ultimately settled with the specific terms of the settlement being undisclosed to the public.

Endorsements

Before starting the 1996–97 NBA season, Bryant signed a 6-year contract with Adidas worth approximately $48 million. His first signature shoe was the Equipment KB 8. Bryant's other earlier endorsements included deals with The Coca-Cola Company to endorse their Sprite soft drink, appearing in advertisements for McDonald's, promoting Spalding's new NBA Infusion Ball, Upper Deck, Italian chocolate company Ferrero SpA's brand Nutella, Russell Corporation, and appearing on his own series of video games by Nintendo. Many companies like McDonald's and Ferrero SpA terminated his contracts when rape allegations against him became public. A notable exception was Nike, Inc., who had signed him to a 5-year, $40–45 million contract just before the incident. However, they refused to use his image or market a new shoe of his for the year, but eventually did start promoting Bryant once his image recovered 2 years later. Bryant was also the cover athlete for NBA '07: Featuring the Life Vol. 2 and appeared in commercials for the video games Guitar Hero World Tour (with Tony Hawk, Michael Phelps, and Alex Rodriguez) in 2008 and (alongside Jimmy Kimmel) in 2010.

In 2008 Bryant completed a pair of viral videos showing him doing dangerous stunts to promote Nike's Hyper Dunk shoes. The first showed Bryant jumping over a speeding Aston Martin and the second one showed Bryant with the crew of Jackass jumping over a pool of snakes. Both videos received over 4.5 million views each on YouTube. Bryant later hinted that the stunts were fake, as actually doing them would violate his contract with the Lakers by participating in dangerous activities. After promoting Nike's Hyperdunk shoes, Bryant came out with the fourth edition of his signature line by Nike, the Zoom Kobe IV. In 2010 Nike launched another shoe, Nike Zoom Kobe V. In 2009, Bryant signed a deal with Nubeo to market the "Black Mamba collection", a line of sports/luxury watches that range from $25,000 to $285,000. On February 9, 2009, Bryant was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine. However, it wasn't for anything basketball related, rather it was about Bryant being a big fan of FC Barcelona. CNN estimated Bryant's endorsement deals in 2007 to be worth $16 million a year. In 2010, Bryant was ranked third behind Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan in Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes with $48 million.

On 13 December 2010, Kobe signed a two-year deal to become the new global brand ambassador for Turkish Airlines airline company. A global advertising campaign featuring Kobe Bryant is planned for 2011.

Bryant has appeared as the cover athlete for the following video games: Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside NBA Courtside 2002 NBA 3 On 3 Featuring Kobe Bryant NBA '07: Featuring the Life Vol. 2

NBA 2K10

Philanthropy

Bryant is the official ambassador for After-School All-Stars (ASAS), an American non-profit organization that provides comprehensive after-school programs to children in 13 US cities. Bryant also started the Kobe Bryant China Fund which will partner with the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, a charity backed by the Chinese government. The Kobe Bryant China Fund will raise money within China earmarked for education and health programs. On November 4, 2010, Bryant appeared alongside Zach Braff at the launch event at the Santa Monica Airport, where they presented a $1 million check to the Call of Duty Endowment, an Activision-founded nonprofit organization that helps veterans transition to civilian careers after their military service has ended.

See also

Kobe Bryant (song)

Kobe Bryant – Shaquille O'Neal feud

Kobe Doin' Work

List of active NBA players who have spent their entire career with one team

List of 40-plus point games by Kobe Bryant

List of National Basketball Association players with 1000 games played

List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders

List of National Basketball Association career 3-point scoring leaders

List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders

List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders

List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders

List of National Basketball Association players with 50 or more points in a playoff game

List of National Basketball Association players with most championship rings

List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game

List of National Basketball Association season scoring leaders

List of National Basketball Association top individual scoring season averages

Notes

External links

Official Site

Kobe Bryant at NBA.com

NBA.com – The Ultimate Kobe Page

Kobe Bryant Video on ESPN Video Archive

Kobe Bryant Video on FoxSports Video Archive

Category:1978 births Category:African American basketball players Category:American expatriates in Italy Category:American Roman Catholics Category:Basketball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics Category:Basketball players from Pennsylvania Category:Charlotte Hornets draft picks Category:Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year Category:Living people Category:Los Angeles Lakers players Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans Category:National Basketball Association high school draftees Category:NBA Slam Dunk Contest champions Category:NBA Finals MVP Award winners Category:Olympic basketball players of the United States Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States Category:Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Category:People from Newport Beach, California Category:People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Category:Shooting guards Category:United States men's national basketball team members

Name	Karl Malone
Caption	"The Mailman"
Height ft	6
Height in	9
Weight lbs	265
Number	11, 32
Position	Power forward
Nationality	American
Birth date	July 24, 1963
Birth place	Summerfield, Louisiana
College	Louisiana Tech
Draft round	1
Draft pick	13
Draft team	Utah Jazz
Draft year	1985
Former teams
Career start	1985
Career end	2004
Awards
Stat1label	Points
Stat1value	36,928
Stat2label	Rebounds
Stat2value	14,968
Stat3label	Assists
Stat3value	5,238
Hof player	karl-malone

}} Karl Anthony Malone (born July 24, 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player.

Born in Summerfield, Louisiana, he was nicknamed The Mailman in college for his consistency ("the mailman always delivers") and his work in the post. Malone twice won the National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Player award. He is generally considered one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, and has scored the second most points (36,928) in NBA history, trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

On May 30, 2007, Malone was named director of basketball promotions and assistant strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater, Louisiana Tech University.

Malone spent his first 18 seasons (1985–2003) as the star player for the Utah Jazz, forming a formidable duo with his teammate John Stockton. He played one season (2003–04) for the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring.

Malone's jersey was retired on March 23, 2006, when the Jazz hosted the Washington Wizards. He was also honored with the unveiling of a bronze statue outside the EnergySolutions Arena next to teammate John Stockton, and the renaming of a portion of 100 South in Salt Lake City in his honor. The location where the statues stand is now the intersection of Stockton and Malone.

NBA career

Malone was chosen by the Jazz in 1985 out of Louisiana Tech with the 13th overall pick in the draft. Malone's first season was a success, averaging 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds. After his rookie season, the Jazz saw in him the potential to be the cornerstone of their offense. They traded star forward Adrian Dantley to the Detroit Pistons and decided to build around Malone. Malone later upped his production to 21.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

At the same time, reserve point guard John Stockton was winning the trust of the coaching staff and the love of the fans. By the 1987–88 season, Malone was the foundation of the offense and Stockton was the floor general. Malone made his first All-Star Game in 1988 on the strength of 27.1 points per game, and made his first All-NBA team at the end of the season. This was the first of 14 consecutive All-Star appearances for Malone. The Jazz went 47–35, third in the Midwest Division, and defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. The Jazz took on the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the next round, who were led by perennial All-Stars Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, losing in seven games. Malone scored 29 points per game in that postseason.

The next year, Malone averaged 29.1 points, good for second in the NBA behind Michael Jordan, and 10.7 rebounds, which was fifth in the league. At the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, Malone finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists en route to his first All-Star MVP. The Jazz finished 51–31, but were swept in three games in the first round by the Golden State Warriors. The next year Malone increased his scoring to 31 points and his rebounding to 11.1 a game, but the Jazz were once again eliminated in the first round, this time by the Phoenix Suns.

For the time Malone and Stockton played together on the Jazz, the two formed one of the most productive guard–forward combinations in NBA history. Playing coach Jerry Sloan's scrappy and tough style and perfecting the pick and roll to a maximum degree of efficiency, the Jazz regularly made the playoffs with a winning record. Malone led the Jazz to multiple 50-win seasons with the exception of 1992–93 (47–35).

Through this time, Malone continued to put up stellar numbers, averaging 28/11.2, 27/11.2, 25.2/11.5, 26.7/10.6 and 25.7/9.8 from 1992 to 1996. The Jazz only made it as far as the Western Conference Finals in this period, losing to the Portland Trail Blazers (1992), the Houston Rockets (1994) and the Seattle SuperSonics (1996).

During the 1996-97 season, Malone put up a resurgent 27.4 points per game while leading the Jazz to a 64–18 record, the highest win total in Malone's 12 seasons with the Jazz. The Jazz had the best record in the Western Conference and the second-best in the league, with Malone winning his first NBA Most Valuable Player award. After sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers and defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, the Jazz took on the Houston Rockets, led by the aging trio of Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and Clyde Drexler. The Jazz beat them in six games (the last victory coming on a last-second shot by Stockton). Malone finally got to the Finals in 1997, where they played the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. In a matchup of the two previous MVPs, the Bulls took the first two games at the United Center. Malone struggled from the field, going 6 of 20 for 20 points in Game Two. However the Jazz won the next two games at the Delta Center behind Malone's 37 points in Game 3 and 23 in Game 4, including a game-winning fastbreak lay-up off a spectacular assist by Stockton in the last minute. The Bulls took the next two games and the series, with Malone struggling from the foul line in the pivotal Game 6.

The next season saw the Jazz once again dominate. Malone put up 27 points per game and just missed out on his second MVP award, losing to Jordan. Nevertheless, the Jazz posted a 62–20 record, which was the best in the NBA. The Jazz once again were seated at the top of the Western Conference, and in the 1998 playoffs they defeated the Rockets, Spurs, and Lakers (via a sweep) en route to their second consecutive Finals appearance. The rematch with the Chicago Bulls would start differently, as Malone put up 21 points and the Jazz won Game 1, 88–85. Malone found himself unable to put up consistently high numbers, due in large part to the swarming defense of defenders Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen. Despite Malone's 31 points in Game 6, the Bulls won the game and the series.

In the lockout-shortened 1999 season, Malone won his second MVP award and the Jazz went 37–13. They lost in the second round to the Trail Blazers, and for the next several years the Jazz fell out of title contention. Despite the decline of his team and his advancing age, Malone averaged 25.5, 23.2, 22.4, and 20.6 points per game in his last four seasons with Utah. In the 2002–2003 season, Malone passed Wilt Chamberlain for second on the all-time scoring list with 36,374 points. He became a free agent in 2003, after which Stockton had retired.

Malone played in the NBA for one more season, joining the Los Angeles Lakers in an attempt to win a championship, the only major achievement absent in his career. His bid failed as the Lakers were defeated in five games by the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. Malone sprained his right knee and played injured for four games in the Finals before missing Game Five, with the Lakers down 3–1 and the series almost over. Although several NBA teams (including the Lakers, Heat, Timberwolves and Spurs) sought his services for the 2004–05 season, Malone decided to retire on February 13, 2005. The Jazz retired his number 32 jersey in his honor.

Achievements and awards

Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Most free throws attempted and made in NBA history.

First all-time in defensive rebounds, and second all-time on the NBA career scoring list, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Both Malone and Stockton were selected to be a part of the Dream Team, the legendary 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team that was the first to feature professional NBA players. He won Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996.

Won NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice (1997 and 1999).

Voted in 1996 to the NBA's 50 Greatest Players list.

Voted to 11 All-NBA first teams, two second teams and one third team.

Voted an All-Star 14 times. MVP of the All-Star game in 1989 and co-MVP in 1993 with Stockton.

Voted to three NBA All-Defensive first teams and one second team.

Malone was ranked #18 on Slam Magazine's Top 50 NBA Players of all time in 2009.

Played in 1476 games (fourth all-time), averaging 37.2 minutes, 51% shooting from the floor, 74% from the free throw line, 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.41 steals per game.

His 1434 games played in a Jazz uniform are second most all-time (to Stockton's 1504) for games played for a single franchise in NBA history.

His 1412 games played with Stockton are an all-time record for teammates in NBA history.

Recorded a record-eleven consecutive seasons in which he scored at least 2,000 points.

His jersey number (#32) was retired by the Utah Jazz on March 23, 2006.

Player profile

Malone is regarded as one of the best power forwards in the history of the NBA. He collected two regular-season MVP Awards, eleven NBA First Team nominations and was also selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team three times.

Malone led the NBA in free throws made a league-record seven times. He was a physical defender and rebounder, and one of the most durable players ever in the NBA, missing a total of only five regular season games in his first 13 years in the league. He maintained a high level of play even at age 40, becoming the oldest player to both log a triple-double and to be a starter on an NBA Finals-bound team. Malone's work ethic showed prominently in his formative years in the NBA where he raised his free throw shooting percentage from below 50% to 75%. He also added a long range jump shot which made him difficult to defend.

Malone wore number 32 for the Utah Jazz. He wore number 11 for the Los Angeles Lakers (number 32 was retired honoring Magic Johnson, though Johnson himself offered to have it unretired for Malone to wear, an offer Malone refused) and also for the Dream Team (the players wore 4 to 15 to adhere to FIBA rules).

Over 1,476 NBA games (fourth all-time), and 1,471 starts (most all-time, never coming off the bench after his rookie season), Malone scored 36,928 points (25.0 per game), second-best all-time, on .516 shooting. His high field goal percentage benefited from three factors, namely, the pick-and-roll offense; his physical power, enabling him to overpower most forwards, and his ability to run the court, allowing him to convert fastbreak dunks and lay-ups off assists by Stockton. Malone notched 10.1 rebounds and 1.41 steals per game for his career. In addition, Malone played 1,412 games with Stockton, most all time for two players on the same team, and missed just eight games out of a possible 1,442 games during his time with the Jazz (3 because of suspension)..

Notable games

Malone was named Most Valuable Player of the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, finishing the contest with 28 points and 9 rebounds.

On January 27, 1990, Malone scored a career-high 61 points in a 144-96 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks. He made 21 of 26 field goals and 19 of 23 free throws. It was the most points scored by a Jazz player since the team moved to Utah from New Orleans. By playing only 33 minutes, Malone became the third player in NBA history to score at least 60 points while playing less than 40 minutes in a game. The others are Jerry West (63 points in 39 minutes on January 17, 1962) and George Gervin (63 points in 33 minutes on April 9, 1978). Kobe Bryant is the fourth and latest player to have achieved this feat, and is the only player to do so twice (62 points in 33 minutes on December 20, 2005, and 61 points in 36 minutes on February 2, 2009, while also breaking Madison Square Garden scoring record).

Malone scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 1993 NBA All-Star Game, sharing the game's MVP honors with teammate John Stockton.

Against the Golden State Warriors on March 29, 1994, Malone set a career high with 23 rebounds (11 offensive, 12 defensive).

Malone posted his first career triple-double with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Los Angeles Clippers on February 2, 1996.

On May 11, 1997, in a playoff game against the Lakers, Malone made 18 of 18 free throws, breaking the NBA record for most free throw attempts without a miss in a single playoff game. He finished with 42 points.

Malone scored 50 points and added 12 rebounds in a playoff game against the Seattle SuperSonics on April 22, 2000. The 50 points set a Jazz franchise playoff record, and at 36 years of age, he became the oldest player to score 50 points or more in a playoff game.

On November 30, 2003, while playing with the Lakers, Malone became the oldest NBA player ever to post a triple-double (at age 40). He totaled 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 26 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs.

With his 30-point, 13-rebound performance April 25, 2004, at Houston, Malone became the oldest player in playoff history to score 30 points in a game and only the second player over age 40 to reach the 30-point mark in a postseason contest. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the first.

Personal

Malone has been married to the former Kay Kinsey, winner of the 1988 Miss Idaho USA pageant, since December 24, 1990. They have four children: daughter Kadee (born 1991), daughter Kylee (born 1993), son Karl, Jr. (born 1995), and daughter Karlee (born 1998).

In 1998, the tabloid newspaper The Globe reported that Malone had been a defendant in paternity lawsuits, filed shortly after Malone began his professional basketball career in the late 1980s, which alleged that he was the father of three children by two women from his hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana: Demetrius Bell and twins Daryl and Cheryl Ford. Malone was 17 when the Ford twins were born to Bonita Ford, who was approximately the same age. However, when 20-year-old Malone conceived Demetrius, Gloria Bell was only 13. The Salt Lake Tribune conducted a follow-up investigation and reported that in the aftermath of the Globe story, Malone had met with the Ford twins for the first time since visiting them in the hospital after they were born. Malone did not meet with Bell at that time, and Malone's attorney insisted that Malone had settled the lawsuits prior to any conclusive establishment of paternity, and thus still did not know whether he was truly the father of any of the children.

The Tribune confirmed that the judge in the Bell lawsuit ruled Malone to be the father, not based on presented evidence, but rather because Malone did not respond to the suit. However, the paper also examined court documents detailing the evidence that was to have been presented had Malone responded and a trial ensued. One of the items listed was a laboratory blood test which concluded with over 99 percent certainty that Bell's father was either Malone or a brother of Malone. The paper also reported that applying that same blood sample to the Ford twins resulted in a similarly high probability of paternity by Malone. According to the Tribune, Malone challenged the court's ruling with regard to Bell, claiming that the judgment holding him responsible for $125 per week in child support, plus past and future medical expenses, was excessive. Before Malone's appeal was adjudicated, the lawsuit was settled on confidential terms. In the case regarding the Ford twins, Malone was ruled to be their father when he violated a court order by refusing to reveal his assets or submit to a DNA test. Thereafter, another out-of-court settlement was reached. Since that time, Karl Malone has maintained a relationship with the twins, each of whom later played college basketball at his alma mater of Louisiana Tech University. Cheryl Ford went on to a professional basketball career with the Detroit Shock of the Women's National Basketball Association.

To date, Malone has made no public comment with regard to Bell, who is now an offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. In 2008, The Buffalo News reported that Bell's first and only meeting with Malone came shortly after Bell graduated from high school. According to Bell, Malone told him at that time that it was "too late" for them to have a father-son relationship.

Malone is a registered Republican who has made contributions to the campaign of George W. Bush and other conservative causes. He is a staunch supporter of the US military presence in Iraq and has expressed anger that politicians have accused American troops abroad of abuse, saying that "Congress and the senators need to be slapped around for saying it."

Malone is an avid hunter and fisherman. He owns a summer home in Kenai, Alaska.

See also

List of National Basketball Association players with 1000 games played

List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders

List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders

List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders

List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders

List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders

List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders

List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game

List of National Basketball Association players with 50 or more points in a playoff game

Sources

Encyclopedia Britannica

References

External links

NBA.com History player file: Karl Malone

Basketball-Reference.com: Karl Malone

UtahStories.com Karl Malone's Impact on Utah Jazz

NBA.com Profile

Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:African American basketball players Category:Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Category:Basketball players at the 1992 Summer Olympics Category:Basketball players at the 1996 Summer Olympics Category:Basketball players from Louisiana Category:Los Angeles Lakers players Category:National Basketball Association players with retired numbers Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball players Category:United States men's national basketball team members Category:Olympic basketball players of the United States Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States Category:Utah Jazz draft picks Category:Utah Jazz players Category:Power forwards (basketball) Category:Louisiana Tech University alumni Category:People from Union Parish, Louisiana Category:People from Ruston, Louisiana Category:Louisiana Republicans Category:People from Claiborne Parish, Louisiana

Name	John Stockton
Width	200
Position	Point guard
Height ft	6 | height_in = 1
Weight lbs	170
Number	12
Birthdate	March 26, 1962
Birthplace	Spokane, Washington, USA
Career start	1984
Career end	2003
Draftyear	1984
Draftteam	Utah Jazz
Draftround	1
Draftpick	16
College	Gonzaga University
Teams
Stat1label	Points
Stat1value	19,711
Stat2label	Assists
Stat2value	15,806
Stat3label	Steals
Stat3value	3,265
Bbr	stockjo01
Letter	s
Highlights
Hof player	john-stockton

}} John Houston Stockton (born March 26, 1962) is a retired American professional basketball player (NBA) who spent his entire career (1984–2003) as a point guard for the Utah Jazz of the NBA. Stockton is regarded as one of the best point guards of all time, holding the NBA records for most career assists and steals by considerable margins. He was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Early years

Stockton was born in Spokane, Washington to Clementine Frei and Jack Stockton. He attended grade school at St. Aloysius and moved on to high school at Gonzaga Prep, graduating in 1980. He then played college basketball for Gonzaga University in his hometown where he averaged 20.9 points per game while shooting 57% from the field in his senior year. His grandfather, Houston Stockton had also been a well known athlete at Gonzaga. John Stockton was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 16th overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft.

NBA career

John Stockton averaged a career double-double, with 13.1 points and 10.5 assists per game. He holds the NBA's record for most career assists (15,806) by a margin of more than 4,000, as well as the record for most career steals (3,265). He had five of the top six assists seasons in NBA history (the other belonging to Isiah Thomas). He holds the NBA record for the most seasons, games, and consecutive games played with one team, and is third in total games played, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Parish. He missed only 22 games during his career, 18 of them in one season. He played in 34 games where he tallied 20 or more assists.

Stockton appeared in 10 All-Star games, and was named co-MVP of the game in 1993 with Jazz teammate Karl Malone, which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah. He played with the 1992 and 1996 US Olympic basketball teams, known as Dream Team I and III, the first Olympic squads to feature NBA players, keeping the game ball from both Gold Medal games. He was selected to the All-NBA First Team twice, the All-NBA Second Team six times, the All-NBA Third Team three times, and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team five times. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996. Stockton's career highlight came in Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals. Stockton scored the last 9 points for the Jazz, including a buzzer-beating 3-point shot over the Houston Rockets' Charles Barkley, to send the Jazz to the first of its two consecutive NBA Finals appearances. In both of these appearances, Stockton's Jazz teams were defeated by the Chicago Bulls.

For many years, he and Malone were the Jazz's 1-2 punch. The two played a record 1,412 regular-season games together as teammates. Many of Stockton's assists resulted from passes to Malone. Stockton earned the "old school" tag for his physical play (surveys of athletes and fans alike often judged him among the toughest players in the NBA, usually just behind teammate Karl Malone); his uniform "short shorts" (he was the most recent notable NBA player to wear them, preferring the style after the rest of the league had adopted today's baggier look); his simple dress off the court, which contrasted with many of his NBA contemporaries; and his reserved demeanor.

On May 2, 2003, Stockton announced his retirement with a released statement instead of the customary news conference. The Jazz later held a retirement ceremony for him, in which Salt Lake City renamed the street in front of the Energy Solutions Arena (formerly known as the Delta Center), where the Jazz play, John Stockton Drive. His number-12 jersey was retired by the Jazz during a game on November 22, 2004. A statue of Stockton can be seen in front of the Energy Solutions Arena; an accompanying statue of Karl Malone was placed nearby on March 23, 2006. The Malone and Stockton statues stand on a bronze plaque commemorating their achievements together. Stockton was announced as a member of the 2009 class of inductees to the Basketball Hall of Fame on April 6, 2009; he was formally inducted on September 11.

Along with Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Dominique Wilkins, Elgin Baylor, Reggie Miller, Pete Maravich, and his teammate Karl Malone, John Stockton is considered to be one of the best players never to have won an NBA championship.

Player profile

Stockton, a 10-time NBA All-Star, commandingly holds the NBA record for career assists with 15,806 (10.5 per game). Stockton also holds the record for assists-per-game average over one season (14.5 in 1990), and is one of three players who have logged more than 1,000 assists in one season, joining Kevin Porter (1,099 in 1979) and Isiah Thomas (1,123 in 1985) in the exclusive list. Stockton did this seven times, with season totals of 1,164, 1,134, 1,128, 1,126, 1,118, 1,031 and 1,011 assists.

He and Karl Malone are regarded by many as the quintessential pick and roll duo. Apart from his passing skill, Stockton was also a capable scorer (13.1 points per game career average and a .515 career shooting percentage) with a reliable three-point shot (.384 lifetime average). He is 30th on the all-time NBA scoring list with 19,711 career points. Despite the fact that he never pulled down more than 9 rebounds (or recorded more than 9 steals) during a regular season game, he recorded one career triple double, in a playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 28, 2001. He scored 12 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and had 10 assists.

On defense, Stockton holds the NBA record for career steals with 3,265, nearly 30 percent more than second placed Michael Jordan, who had 2,514.

Stockton was known for his unassuming, no-nonsense approach to the game, hard-nosed defense, and fanatical work-ethic in preparation, which resulted in his extreme durability. He played 1,504 of 1,526 possible games in his 19-season career. In his first 13 seasons, he missed only four games (all in the 1989-1990 season) until he missed the first 18 games of the 1997-1998 season due to an injured MCL in his left knee sustained in the preseason. That was the only major injury in his career and he never missed another game after returning from that injury. In his last season at age 41, he started in all 82 games, and finished with more-than-respectable averages of 10.8 ppg and 7.7 apg.

Stockton avoided most endorsements, and stayed loyal to Utah despite being offered significantly more money by other teams. In 1996 he agreed to a deal that made salary-cap space available so the team could improve, but insisted on guaranteed Delta Center ice time for his son's hockey team.

On May 11, 2006, ESPN.com named Stockton the 4th best point guard of all time.

In 1,504 NBA games (an all-time record for a player who played for only one team and games with a single team), of which Stockton started 1,300 (third all-time since starts became an official statistic beginning with the 1981-82 season), Stockton averaged a double-double in points and assists along with 2.2 steals and 31:45 of floor time per game, and holds other scoring accuracy records as noted above.

Personal life

Stockton and his wife, the former Nada Stepovich (daughter of Matilda and Michael Anthony Stepovich, the last territorial governor of Alaska), have two daughters, Lindsay and Laura, and four sons, Houston, Michael, David and Samuel. His son David plays for Gonzaga. Stockton and his family are devout Catholics.

See also

List of National Basketball Association players with 1000 games played

List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders

List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders

List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders

List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders

List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders

List of National Basketball Association players with most assists in a game

List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game

Footnotes

External links

NBA History

NBA.com Profile

Basketball-Reference.com: John Stockton

John Stockton

Category:1962 births Category:American basketball players Category:United States men's national basketball team members Category:Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Category:Basketball players at the 1992 Summer Olympics Category:Basketball players at the 1996 Summer Olympics Category:Basketball players from Washington (U.S. state) Category:Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball players Category:National Basketball Association players with retired numbers Category:Living people Category:Olympic basketball players of the United States Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States Category:People from Spokane, Washington Category:Point guards Category:Utah Jazz players Category:Utah Jazz draft picks

Position	Guard/Forward
Number	14, 4
Height ft	6
Height in	5
Weight lbs	195
Birthdate	March 28, 1942 McLeansboro, Illinois, USA
Debutyear	1965
Finalyear	1976
Draftyear	1965
Draftround	1
Draftpick	4
Draftteam	Baltimore Bullets
College	Evansville
Teams
Stat1label	Points
Stat1value	10,571
Stat2label	Rebounds
Stat2value	5,615
Stat3label	Assists
Stat3value	1,925
Letter	s
Bbr	sloanje01
Highlights
Hof coach	jerry-sloan
Coach

Gerald Eugene Sloan, better known as Jerry Sloan (born March 28, 1942) is an American Basketball Hall of Fame-inducted head coach with the Utah Jazz of the NBA and a former player in the NBA. He is one of professional basketball's most successful coaches, with a career regular-season win–loss record of 1190–780 (as of the end of the 2009–10 NBA season), placing him third on the list of all-time most-winning NBA coaches. Sloan collected his 1,000th career win against the Dallas Mavericks on December 11, 2006, in a 101–79 victory, which made him only the fifth coach in NBA history to reach the milestone. Sloan is the only coach in NBA history to record 1,000 wins with the same club, having reached that mark on November 7, 2008 with a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has also coached for one team longer than anyone in NBA history. The 2009–10 season was his 22nd season (and 21st full season) as coach of the Jazz. However, he has not won an NBA Coach of the Year award, to the surprise of many, nor coached any team to an NBA championship. Nevertheless, he remains one of the league's most respected coaches.

After Tom Kelly stepped down as manager of the Minnesota Twins in 2001, Sloan became the longest-tenured head coach in American major league sports with their current franchise. The only manager in any top professional league that has headed their current team for longer is Sir Alex Ferguson of English football team Manchester United.

Personal life

He married his high school sweetheart, Bobbye Sloan. They had three children and were married 41 years. After a well publicized six year battle against breast cancer, she died of pancreatic cancer in 2004. In 2006, he married Tammy Jessop, in Salt Lake City.

Playing career

Born and raised in McLeansboro, Illinois, Sloan graduated an all-state player from McLeansboro High School in 1960. He spent around five weeks at the University of Illinois then quit school due to homesickness. After working for a time at the oil fields, Sloan moved to the University of Evansville. He played college basketball under Evansville coach Arad McCutchan even as he worked part-time making refrigerators for Whirlpool. Amassing 15.5 points per contest, Sloan was the leading scorer for the Purple Aces in each of his three seasons as a starter. He led Evansville twice to the NCAA College Division Tournament (now known as the Division II Tournament) as the and was voted a second team All-American during his senior season.

Sloan was originally selected as an eligible junior in the third round of the 1964 NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets. He decided to stay in college, and was then selected by the Bullets again in the 1965 NBA Draft with the sixth overall pick. He played just one season for the Bullets, then went on to play for the Chicago Bulls during the Bulls' formative years. He was the first player selected by the Bulls in the expansion draft, earning him the nickname "The Original Bull." Sloan was known for his tenacity on defense, and led the expansion team to the playoffs in its first season.

Sloan enjoyed a good NBA career, playing in two All-Star Games, being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times and the All-Defensive Second team twice. He also led the Bulls to the playoffs on various occasions and helped them to win one division title, the only one the franchise has earned outside the Michael Jordan era. Sloan averaged 9.1 rebounds per game in his second season, and his career rebounding average of 7.4 rebounds per game is unusually high for a guard. He is currently fourth on the Bulls' all-time scoring list. With an average of 2.15 steals per game (tabulated over his last three seasons), Sloan is ranked tenth in the NBA's all-time leaders category for steals per game, just behind John Stockton (2.17 SPG). Sloan recorded two triple-doubles during his career, and scored a career-high 43 points in a 1969 game versus the Milwaukee Bucks.

Sloan's playing career was cut short by successive knee injuries, and he turned his attention to coaching. Because of his influential career with the Bulls, the franchise retired Sloan's No. 4 jersey, the first jersey retired by the Bulls.

Coaching career

While at Evansville, coach McCutchan suggested to Sloan to coach at his alma mater. After retiring in 1976, Sloan took the Evansville job but withdrew after five days. That same season the Evansville basketball team as well as coaches were killed in a plane crash at Evansville Airport.

After two years, Sloan was hired by the Bulls as a scout.

Sloan and the Jazz advanced to the Western Conference finals on May 15, 2007 with a 100–87 win over the Golden State Warriors. It's the sixth time in franchise history that Utah advanced to the conference finals, all coming under Sloan.

During the 2008-2009 season, Sloan reached 1,000 wins as coach of the Jazz on November 7 after Utah beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104–97 in a Friday night game. He is the only coach in NBA history with 1,000 wins for one team. Sloan returned as head coach of the Jazz for the 2009–10 season leading the team to a 53-29 record and the playoffs.

In April 2009 Sloan was announced to the Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside his former point guard John Stockton.

Head coaching record

|- | align="left" |CHI | align="left" | |82||30||52||.366|| align="center" |3rd in Midwest||—||—||—||— | align="center" |Missed Playoffs |- | align="left" |CHI | align="left" | |82||45||37||.549|| align="center" |2nd in Central||6||2||4||.333 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |CHI | align="left" | |51||19||31||.373|| align="center" |(fired)||—||—||—||— | align="center" |— |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |65||40||25||.615|| align="center" |1st in Midwest||3||0||3||.000 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||55||27||.671|| align="center" |2nd in Midwest||5||2||3||.400 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||54||28||.659|| align="center" |2nd in Midwest||9||4||5||.444 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Semifinals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||55||27||.671|| align="center" |1st in Midwest||16||9||7||.563 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Finals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||47||35||.573|| align="center" |3rd in Midwest||5||2||3||.400 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||53||29||.646|| align="center" |3rd in Midwest||16||8||8||.500 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Finals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | ||82||60||22||.732|| align="center" |2nd in Midwest||5||2||3||.400 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||55||27||.671|| align="center" |2nd in Midwest||18||10||8||.556 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Finals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||64||18||.780|| align="center" |1st in Midwest||20||13||7||.650 | align="center" |Lost in NBA Finals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||62||20||.756|| align="center" |1st in Midwest||20||13||7||.650 | align="center" |Lost in NBA Finals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |50||37||13||.740|| align="center" |2nd in Midwest||11||5||6||.455 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Semifinals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||55||27||.671|| align="center" |3rd in Midwest||10||4||6||.400 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Semifinals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||53||29||.646|| align="center" |3rd in Midwest||5||2||3||.400 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||44||38||.537|| align="center" |4th in Midwest||4||1||3||.250 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||47||35||.573|| align="center" |4th in Midwest||5||1||4||.200 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||42||40||.512|| align="center" |7th in Midwest||—||—||—||— | align="center" |Missed Playoffs |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||26||56||.317|| align="center" |5th in Northwest||—||—||—||— | align="center" |Missed Playoffs |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||41||41||.500|| align="center" |2nd in Northwest||—||—||—||— | align="center" |Missed Playoffs |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||51||31||.621|| align="center" |1st in Northwest||17||9||8||.529 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Finals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||54||28||.659|| align="center" |1st in Northwest||12||6||6||.500 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Semifinals |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||48||34||.585|| align="center" |3rd in Northwest||5||1||4||.200 | align="center" |Lost in First Round |- | align="left" |UTA | align="left" | |82||53||29||.646|| align="center" |1st in Northwest||10||4||6||.400 | align="center" |Lost in Conf. Semifinals |-class="sortbottom" | align="left" |Career | ||1970||1190||780||.604|| ||202||98||104||.485

Quotes

"These guys have been criticized the last few years for not getting to where we're going, but I've always said that the most important thing in sports is to keep trying. Let this be an example of what it means to say it's never over." — Jerry Sloan after the Utah Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals.

"I don't care if he's 19 or 30. If he's going to be on the floor in the NBA, he's got to be able to step up and get after it. We can't put diapers on him one night, and a jockstrap the next night. It's just the way it is." — Jerry Sloan on second year guard C.J. Miles, the youngest player on the 2006–07 Utah Jazz.

After Stockton had injured his finger during a game, Jerry was asked what finger Stockton injured. Jerry replied, "The one on his hand."

"Size doesn't make any difference; heart is what makes a difference."

Trivia

Sloan collects antique tractors as a hobby.

Sloan's son, Brian, also played basketball for McLeansboro High School and was a member of its undefeated 1984 state championship team, and also played five seasons under Coach Bob Knight at Indiana University, collecting an NCAA title in 1987.

References

External links

Official NBA.com bio

BasketballReference.com: Jerry Sloan (as coach)

BasketballReference.com: Jerry Sloan (as player)

– | after=Phil Johnson (interim) }} –present | after=Incumbent }}

Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:American basketball coaches Category:American basketball players Category:Baltimore Bullets draft picks Category:Baltimore Bullets players Category:Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Category:Basketball players from Illinois Category:Chicago Bulls expansion draft picks Category:Chicago Bulls head coaches Category:Chicago Bulls players Category:Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball players Category:National Basketball Association head coaches Category:National Basketball Association players with retired numbers Category:People from Hamilton County, Illinois Category:People from Chicago, Illinois Category:Utah Jazz head coaches Category:Shooting guards Category:Small forwards