NBA: The all-time starting 5 of the Utah Jazz

Founded in 1974, the Utah Jazz started in New Orleans with “Pistol” Pete Maravich as its first superstar. However, there was little success in the Big Easy with the team relocating to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1979. It took four more years before the Jazz became perennial contenders in the Western Conference.

The arrival of John Stockton in 1984 and Karl Malone in 1985 changed the fortunes of the Jazz. The greatest duo in NBA history guided the Jazz to 18 straight postseason appearances that included two trips to the NBA Finals, which resulted in two defeats at the hands of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.

Besides Stockton and Malone, the Jazz has produced some good players in its history. Here are the five players who made the all-time starting five of the Utah Jazz.

Center – Mark Eaton

One of the best defensive big men in NBA history, Mark Eaton spent his entire 11-year career with the Utah Jazz. Even though he had limited offence, Eaton used his towering 7’4” frame to block shots left and right. He ranks second in rebounds and first in blocks in Utah’s all-time leaderboards.

Eaton was also a one-time All-Star and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1989. His 456 total blocks in the 1984-85 season are still the NBA record for most blocks in a season. Knee and back injuries due to his height and weight limited him in the final few years of his career. In 1996, the Jazz retired his No. 53 jersey.

Honourable Mention: Mehmet Okur

In seven seasons with the Jazz, Mehmet Okur was one of the best shooters in the NBA despite playing the center position. Okur was also a clutch player, earning the love of Jazz fans.

He was an All-Star in 2007 when he averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 38.4 per cent from threes.

Guard – Pete Maravich

The first superstar for the then-New Orleans Jazz, “Pistol” Pete Maravich was ahead of his time. He was a great scorer and passer that had a lot of flair on his game. He was a three-time All-Star while with the Jazz while also making three selections in All-NBA teams.

He was also the scoring champion in 1977 when he averaged 31.1 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals.

Maravich only played half a season in Utah because he was traded to the Boston Celtics midway through the 1979-80 season. He sits seventh in the Jazz all-time scoring list and eighth in assists. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987 and his iconic No. 7 jersey has been retired by the Jazz.

Honourable Mention: Guard – Jeff Hornacek

A very underrated player, Jeff Hornacek played for the Jazz in his final six seasons. He was a vital part of the 1997 and 1998 Jazz teams that made two trips to the NBA Finals.

He won two Three-Point Shootouts competitions while in Utah. His No. 14 jersey is already hanging in the rafters of the Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Guard – John Stockton

One of the best point guards of all time, John Stockton formed a great partnership with Karl Malone. Together, they led the Jazz to 18 playoff appearances including two trips to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. The duo both came up short against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

A great passer and defender, Stockton is not only the all-time leader in assists and steals for the Jazz but also for the entire NBA. He is also a ten-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA First Teamer, six-time All-NBA Second Teamer, and three-time All-NBA Third Teamer. His No.12 jersey has been retired by the Jazz and he has a bronze statue outside of the Vivint Smart Home Arena along with Malone.

Honourable Mention: Guard – Deron Williams

There was once a time when many people believe Deron Williams was a better player than Chris Paul. Williams was a beast from 2005 to 2011 for the Jazz and he was named an All-Star three times. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team twice in 2008 and 2010.

Forward: Adrian Dantley

Even though some consider Adrian Dantley as a journeyman since he played for seven teams during his 15-year career, he was one of the best scorers of his generation. He had his best years while playing with the Jazz from 1979 to 1986 wherein he was named an All-Star six times. Dantley was also a two-time scoring champion in 1981 and 1984.

The Hall of Famer sits third in the Jazz all-time scoring list with a total of 13,635. There was even a time when Dantley averaged at least 30.0 points per game in four straight years from 1981 to 1984. However, he only led the Jazz to the playoffs twice but his No. 4 jersey has been retired by the franchise.

Honourable Mention: Andrei Kirilenko

In 10 seasons with the Jazz, Andrei Kirilenko established himself as one of the best defenders and most versatile players in the NBA. “AK47” hit his prime a little too early in his third and fourth year in the NBA. He was an All-Star in 2004 and was named All-NBA Defensive First Team in 2006.

Forward: Karl Malone

Spending 18 of his 19 seasons in Utah, Karl Malone became one of the greatest players to ever play the game wearing a Jazz jersey. He formed a great partnership with John Stockton to lead the Jazz to two NBA Finals appearances. Malone was also a two-time NBA MVP, 14-time All-Star, and 11-time All-NBA First Team selection.

“The Mailman” holds a number of records for the Jazz including most points, most rebounds, and most minutes played. He is also second in assists, second in steals, and fourth in blocks. And just like Stockton, Malone’s No. 32 jersey has been retired by the Jazz and he also has a bronze statue outside of the Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Honourable Mention: Carlos Boozer

There was a time in the mid-2000s when Carlos Boozer was one of the best offensive power forwards in the NBA. In six seasons with the Jazz, Boozer was named an All-Star twice in 2007 and 2008. He also made it into the All-NBA Third Team in 2008 when he averaged 21.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 54.7 per cent from the field.

Edited by Debjyoti Samanta