Latest news with #JerrySloan
Washington Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Former Jazz coach and GM Frank Layden dies at 93
SALT LAKE CITY — Frank Layden, the sharp-witted former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time, has died. He was 93. 'Frank Layden made a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA,' the Jazz said in a statement Wednesday. 'There will never be another like him. Our thoughts go out to his family as we join in mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Rest easy, Coach.' Known for his humor and sideline antics, Layden coached the Jazz from 1981-89 and had 277 wins, third-most in franchise history. He's the only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA coach of the year, earning the honor in 1984, when he also was honored as executive of the year. Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Layden began his coaching career in the high school ranks before moving on to coach at his alma mater, Niagara University. He made the jump to the NBA in 1976 on Hubie Brown's staff with the Atlanta Hawks and became the New Orleans Jazz's general manager in 1979. Layden took over as coach after Tom Nissalke was fired midway through the 1981-82 season and led the franchise to its first playoff appearance in his second season. Layden stepped away from coaching early in the 1988-89 season and was replaced by future Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan. Layden stayed on as the team's president and general manager, part of a staff that selected Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. He spent one season as coach of the WNBA's Utah Starzz in 1998-99. 'It's hard to imagine the story of the Utah Jazz without the presence of Frank Layden,' Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith said. 'He was an amazing person who meant so much to this organization and to our fans. His love of the sport was felt around the NBA, and he set the franchise on a course for success, helping to build an enduring legacy for the state of Utah.' Layden remained in the Salt Lake City area after leaving coaching and earned the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. ___ AP NBA:
Al Arabiya
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Former jazz coach and gm frank layden dies at 93
Frank Layden, the sharp-witted former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time, has died. He was 93. 'Frank Layden made a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA,' the Jazz said in a statement Wednesday. 'There will never be another like him. Our thoughts go out to his family as we join in mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Rest easy Coach.' For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. Known for his humor and sideline antics, Layden coached the Jazz from 1981-89 and had 277 wins, third-most in franchise history. He's the only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA coach of the year, earning the honor in 1984 when he also was honored as executive of the year. Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Layden began his coaching career in the high school ranks before moving on to coach at his alma mater, Niagara University. He made the jump to the NBA in 1976 on Hubie Brown's staff with the Atlanta Hawks and became the New Orleans Jazz's general manager in 1979. Layden took over as coach after Tom Nissalke was fired midway through the 1981-82 season and led the franchise to its first playoff appearance in his second season. Layden stepped away from coaching early in the 1988-89 season and was replaced by future Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan. Layden stayed on as the team's president and general manager, part of a staff that selected Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. He spent one season as coach of the WNBA's Utah Starzz in 1998-99. 'It's hard to imagine the story of the Utah Jazz without the presence of Frank Layden,' Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith said. 'He was an amazing person who meant so much to this organization and to our fans. His love of the sport was felt around the NBA, and he set the franchise on a course for success, helping to build an enduring legacy for the state of Utah.' Layden remained in the Salt Lake City area after leaving coaching and earned the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Associated Press
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Former Jazz coach and GM Frank Layden dies at 93
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Frank Layden, the sharp-witted former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time, has died. He was 93. 'Frank Layden made a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA,' the Jazz said in a statement Wednesday. 'There will never be another like him. Our thoughts go out to his family as we join in mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Rest easy, Coach.' Known for his humor and sideline antics, Layden coached the Jazz from 1981-89 and had 277 wins, third-most in franchise history. He's the only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA coach of the year, earning the honor in 1984, when he also was honored as executive of the year. Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Layden began his coaching career in the high school ranks before moving on to coach at his alma mater, Niagara University. He made the jump to the NBA in 1976 on Hubie Brown's staff with the Atlanta Hawks and became the New Orleans Jazz's general manager in 1979. Layden took over as coach after Tom Nissalke was fired midway through the 1981-82 season and led the franchise to its first playoff appearance in his second season. Layden stepped away from coaching early in the 1988-89 season and was replaced by future Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan. Layden stayed on as the team's president and general manager, part of a staff that selected Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. He spent one season as coach of the WNBA's Utah Starzz in 1998-99. 'It's hard to imagine the story of the Utah Jazz without the presence of Frank Layden,' Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith said. 'He was an amazing person who meant so much to this organization and to our fans. His love of the sport was felt around the NBA, and he set the franchise on a course for success, helping to build an enduring legacy for the state of Utah.' Layden remained in the Salt Lake City area after leaving coaching and earned the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andrei Kirilenko was ready to sacrifice millions to escape the Jazz in 2007: "I don't want to enjoy something that I don't deserve"
In professional sports, walking away from a big paycheck is rare — so when it happens, it highlights a player's dedication. A strong example came in 2007 when Andrei Kirilenko made headlines for what he was ready to give up. Frustrated with his NBA role, the 6'9" forward reportedly considered walking away from the final $63 million on his Utah Jazz contract to rediscover his love for the game elsewhere. He confirmed this in a later translated interview with the Russian outlet Sport Express. Advertisement "I have never been unfair and I don't want to enjoy something that I don't deserve. Big money is obviously good, but I am prepared to make less. The size of my salary doesn't mean that much for me. The main thing is to play with a spark," said Kirilenko, per ESPN. "AK-47" felt unhappy and restricted By late 2004, Kirilenko's future with the Jazz seemed secure. The versatile player, a key figure since 2001, had just signed a six-year, $86 million extension. However, fast-forward to 2007, the partnership was falling apart. Despite "AK-47" hitting his prime, shown by his outstanding MVP performance leading Russia to the EuroBasket title, he was increasingly sidelined in Utah's offense. The focus had shifted to teammates Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur. Advertisement Kirilenko also grew frustrated with head coach Jerry Sloan. In a blog post later translated by "The Salt Lake Tribune," the 2004 All-Star was blunt. "[Sloan's] main method to motivate players is to create a feeling of guilt. Our wages, our errors in games and whatever we do beyond playing for the Jazz is also an excuse to criticize us. I want to play basketball. I want to be happy playing basketball, but I don't want to be a robot in Sloan's system," wrote Andrei. Around the same time, the then 25-year-old shared similar feelings in an interview with Russian media. He said that for two years he had played like a robot. He had expected to enjoy winning and playing when signing his contract, but now even success didn't bring him pleasure, calling it the "worst feeling." Related: Ivica Zubac reflects on breakout year, Jokic battles, and more in Basketball Network exclusive From near exit to a bounce back From Kirilenko's perspective, the situation couldn't continue as it was. However, the Jazz disagreed. Knowing his value and being bound by a contract through the 2010–11 season — which the FIBA teams had to honor — they refused to him leave easily. Advertisement Kirilenko said coach Sloan even suggested the only option was for him to "break the contract" if he wanted out. "AK-47" intended to do just that and possibly return to play in Europe, either in Russia or elsewhere. "I would like to be where I am needed," he explained, "and right now I feel that my country needs me. But I cannot exclude some European clubs. Trust me, I really am prepared to leave NBA. It certainly does not mean that I'm dying to go to Europe. I'm just ready." Though this suggested a split was near, interestingly, it didn't happen. Kirilenko returned to the Jazz roster for the 2007-08 season with renewed focus and determination. That year, he improved most of his key stats — averaging 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest — demonstrating his ability to bounce back despite the outside noise. Related: Andrei Kirilenko describes Karl Malone and John Stockton on the court: "They had two different personalities"
Washington Post
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
At a first-of-its-kind basketball clinic, ‘inclusion' wasn't a bad word
SAN ANTONIO and LOS ANGELES — Across sprawling San Antonio from the central bacchanal of the recent men's Final Four, in a longtime Spurs practice facility with 11 championship banners on a wall (six Western Conference, five NBA), about 25 youths sat on the floor listening to a giant. He told them about Sally Ride, and about Jerry Sloan, and about a recent trip to Bhutan to teach basketball, and about empathy. He said, 'I encourage all of you to create safe spaces [for others] wherever you go.' It felt puzzling to parse whether the moment seemed countercultural.
