Top 5 Confrontations In Jerry Sloan’s Career

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan was always a coach that would stand up for us players at all costs.

That mindset led to many technical fouls, ejections and even some suspensions.

Sloan passed away on Friday, May 22 at age 78 due to complications with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

The KSL Sports team put out a top 5 list of the best confrontations from Jerry Sloan in his legendary career.

5. Jerry vs. The Refs

In 2003 when the Jazz were playing the Sacramento Kings, Jerry Sloan was very upset with a call made by official Courtney Kirkland. Sloan pushed Kirkland and was immediately ejected and was given a seven-game suspension.

10 years before the incident in Sacramento, Sloan shoved official Bob Delaney. Sloan was also ejected, fined $2,000 and a one-game suspension.

4. Jerry vs. Kenyon Martin

In 2001, the Jazz were on the road playing the New Jersey Nets. Karl Malone was going up for a layup when Nets forward Kenyon Martin took a swing at Malone. Sloan was not happy with that play when he had to be held back by his assistant coaches. Martin was ejected from the game.

The Jazz beat the Nets 104-90.

3. Jerry vs. Jerry Stackhouse

In 2007, Utah was hosting the Dallas Mavericks when guard Jerry Stackhouse swung an elbow to the face of Jazz forward Matt Harpring. The officials had to get between the two Jerry’s as Sloan was standing up for his players.

2. Jerry vs. Rasheed Wallace

In the 1999 Western Conference Semifinals, the Jazz were on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers when forward Thurl Bailey and Trail Blazers big man Rasheed Wallace got tangled up. After the two untangled, Sloan went after Wallace.

“I am always going to stand up for my players,” Sloan said after the game. “I can take one on the nose it doesn’t bother me. I don’t want my players to get banged up and hopefully they don’t do something silly.”

The Trail Blazers eliminated the Jazz in six games.

1. Jerry vs. Dennis Rodman

In 1991, the Jazz were on the road facing the Detroit Pistons. Guard John Stockton and Pistons forward Dennis Rodman got tangled up. Sloan went out on the floor and had to be held back by his assistant coaches. Rodman and Sloan kept jawing back and forth. After Rodman made a free throw, he pointed at Sloan when the Jazz head coach returned the favor by blowing a kiss to Rodman.

The Pistons won the game 123-115.

For more on the life and legacy of former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan visit sports.ksl.com/jerrysloan.