The J-Notes
Fansided

Looking Back at Each Era of Utah Jazz Basketball

By David Brinkerhoff

Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next

1979-1996

Record: 756-638 (.542)

Key Players: Karl Malone, John Stockton, Adrian Dantley, Darrell Griffith, Mark Eaton

Despite his phenomenal play in New Orleans, Maravich was released during the first season in Utah. Adrian Dantley, who was in his first season with the team, became the focal point of the offense.

In the 1983-84 season, Dantley (30.6 ppg) and Darrell Griffith (20 ppg) led the Jazz to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. That summer they drafted John Stockton out of Gonzaga University and the following summer they selected Karl Malone out of Louisiana Tech.

The young core continued to grow together and became a shoo-in to make the postseason each season. Dantley was traded and Griffith was injured and soon retired, but Stockton and Malone had taken over the offense and continued to lead the team.

Next: The Finals Years: '96-'04

Home/Jazz News