2009 Basketball Hall of Fame inductions

September 11, 3:09 PMUtah Jazz ExaminerJeff Lockard

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The national spotlight is on Michael Jordan today as he receives his Hall of Fame induction, but in Utah the attention is on two Jazz greats, John Stockton and Jerry Sloan.  Stockton enters the Hall of Fame after spending 19 seasons with the Utah Jazz while Sloan is entering his 25th season as a NBA head coach.  The other two members of this prestigious Hall of Fame class are, David Robinson and C. Vivian Stringer.

John Stockton (Career Highlights)

• NBA all-time career assists leader (15,806)
• NBA all-time career steals leader (3,265)
• Ten time NBA All-Star
• Co-MVP of the 1993 NBA All-Star Game
• Two time All-NBA First Team selection
• Six time All-NBA Second Team selection
• Three time All-NBA Third Team selection
• Five time All-NBA Defensive Second Team selection
• Member of the 1992 and 1996 USA Men's Olympic Basketball Team

John Stockton played all 19 years of his professional career in Utah and never missed the post-season as a member of the Jazz.  He led the NBA in assists from the start of the 1987 season to 1995-96 campaign, a span totaling nine years.  Stockton also tallied the highest single season assist per game average in NBA history at 14.5 APG, and recorded 34 games of 20 or more assists.  In addition to his statistical greatness John Stockton was one of the best floor leaders in NBA history and an under-rated shooter in the clutch.  John Stockton will be welcomed into the NBA Hall of Fame today and take his rightful place among the all-time greats.

Jerry Sloan (Coaching Highlights)

• Fourth on all-time career wins list (1,137)
• Two Western Conference Championships
• Eight Division Championships

Jerry Sloan will enter his 25th season as a NBA head coach and 22nd with the Utah Jazz.  During the past 21 years with the Jazz, Sloan helped guide Utah to a 1043 – 630 record, and a .623 winning percentage.  Utah advanced to the post-season in all but three years under Sloan, reaching the Western Conference Finals six times and the NBA Finals in 1996-97 and 1997-98.

Jerry Sloan is the only coach in NBA history to earn 1,000 wins with one organization.  He’s accumulated 13 seasons with 50 or more victories and his 21 consecutive seasons with one franchise is the longest in NBA history.  Despite his impressive resume Sloan has never received NBA Coach of the Year honors.  It’s an award he should have won on multiple occasions, but today he will rightfully take his place among the NBA coaching greats.

Isiah Thomas will give John Stockton’s induction speech
Charles Barkley will give Jerry Sloan’s induction speech