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 /
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1996-2004

Record: 404-220 (.647)

Key Players: Karl Malone, John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek

“John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals!”

To this day, it’s still the greatest moment in franchise history. In game six of the 1997 Western Conference Finals, Stockton hit a three as time expired to win the game and advance to the NBA Finals where they faced the Chicago Bulls.

The following year Stockton, Malone, Jeff Hornacek, and the Jazz found themselves going up against Michael Jordan‘s Bulls yet again in the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the Jazz were unable to win either series in their only two trips to the NBA Finals in franchise history.

Following the 2002-03 season, John Stockton retired after playing all 19 of his seasons in the NBA with the Utah Jazz. That same off-season, Karl Malone left in free agency to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. After losing their two future Hall of Famers, it was time for the Jazz to rebuild around their rising star, Andrei Kirilenko.

Next: Resurgence: '04-'10

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