I don't know why but this is a pretty big deal to me. I grew up watching Jerry Sloan play for the Bulls. He and Norm VanLeer were two of the toughest guys you could ever hope to see in the back-court. I have a ton of respect for him as a person and for the way he coached those great Jazz teams with Stocton and the Mailman, Karl Malone. They would run the pick and roll to perfection and play great fundamental basketball.
Karl Malone, as I recall, had his share of run-ins with Sloan but the two always respected and cared for each other. I don't know enough about what happened to drive Sloan to this point but it's a shame to see him go. He contributed so much to the game, as a player and even more as a coach.
J
