A member of the NBA Hall of Fame as a coach, Jerry Sloan died on Friday at the age of 78 of Parkinson’s disease. Also Twice All-Star in his playing career, Sloan was the legendary Utah Jazz coach for 23 years, with which he twice reached the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, each time defeated by the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan.
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“Jerry Sloan will always be synonymous with Utah Jazz, said the franchise in a statement. He will always be part of the organization of Utah Jazz and we join his family, friends and fans to mourn his loss. We are so grateful for what he has accomplished here and for the decades of dedication, loyalty and tenacity he has brought to our franchise. “
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Chicago Bulls First Team Member
During his playing career, Sloan was part of the first team of the Chicago Bulls. He had indeed joined them when they were created in 1966 and had stayed there for 10 years. Sloan had also started his coaching career with the Bulls, being an assistant year, then head coach from 1979 to 1982. The No. 4 he wore during his Chicago career was the first number withdrawn by the Bulls , in 1978.
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” Jerry was the face of the Bulls from its inception until the mid-1970ssaid Jerry Reinsdorf, the team owner, in a statement. […] A great player, an elected coach at the Hall of Fame and above all a great person. Our sympathies go to the Sloan family and its many fans. “
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