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Utah Jazz are a professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, they play their home games at Delta Center.
The Utah Jazz, originally founded in New Orleans in 1974, relocated to Salt Lake City in 1979 and has since become one of the NBA’s most consistent franchises. Here’s a comprehensive look at their notable achievements and legacy:
Franchise Achievements
- Two NBA Finals appearances (1997, 1998)
- First playoff appearance in 1984, followed by a remarkable streak of 20 consecutive playoff seasons
- Best regular season record in the 2020-21 season
- Multiple division championships, starting with their first in 1983-84
Retired Numbers
The Jazz have honored several individuals by retiring their numbers:
- #4 Adrian Dantley – Two-time NBA scoring champion (1981, 1984) who made six All-Star appearances with the team
- #7 Pete Maravich – First-team All-NBA selection in 1976 and 1977, finished third in MVP voting in ’77
- #12 John Stockton – NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals, played his entire 19-season career with Utah
- #14 Jeff Hornacek – Two-time 3-point contest winner who averaged 14.4 points per game over six seasons
- #32 Karl Malone – Two-time NBA MVP (1997, 1999), two-time All-Star Game MVP, and third all-time in career points
- #35 Darrell Griffith – Rookie of the Year in 1981, known as “Dr. Dunkenstein,” played his entire 10-year career with the Jazz
- #53 Mark Eaton – Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, holds the NBA record for blocks per game (3.5)
Notable Franchise Records
- John Stockton holds NBA records for:
- Career assists
- Career steals
- Mark Eaton owns the NBA record for blocks per game average
- Karl Malone ranks third all-time in career points
- Adrian Dantley achieved four consecutive seasons averaging over 30 points per game
Hall of Fame Members
Several legendary figures have been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for their contributions to the franchise:
- Players: John Stockton, Karl Malone, Pete Maravich, Adrian Dantley
- Coaches: Jerry Sloan, Frank Layden
- Contributors: Larry Miller (former owner), Rod Hundley (broadcaster)
Historical Timeline
- 1974: Established as New Orleans Jazz
- 1979: Relocated to Salt Lake City
- 1984: First playoff appearance
- Late 1980s-Early 1990s: Rise of the Stockton-Malone era
- 1997-1998: Back-to-back NBA Finals appearances
- 2020-21: Best regular season record in the league
The franchise continues to build on this legacy, maintaining a strong presence in the Western Conference while developing new talent for future success.