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.
Utah Jazz, 1996-2004 pic.twitter.com/271KgOjYh3
— Mr. Mary-Kate Olsen (@mrmarykateolsen) May 15, 2016
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