Utah Jazz NBA 75th anniversary team fringe cases
While there is absolute certainty regarding John Stockton and Karl Malone’s cases to be included on this list, there is only mystery surrounding the cases of some other Utah Jazz greats. Adrian Dantley is one of the best pure scorers in NBA history. He averaged at least 30 points per game in a Jazz uniform from 1980-81 to 1983-84. He has a strong case, but the team’s lack of success during that stretch may earn him a reputation as an empty-calorie scorer.
Pete Maravich is actually likely to make the cut on the strength of name recognition and influence. His highlight reel dimes were a staple of New Orleans Jazz basketball from 1974-75 to 1978-79. Like Dantley, his case may get held back by the fact that the Jazz consistently underperformed during his tenure with the club.
Finally, current Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert may be fortunate enough to hear his name get called when the league unveils its top 75 all-time players. Some fans may bristle at the inclusion of active players, but the Stifle Tower has a case. He joins Dwight Howard, Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo as one of four players in NBA history with more than 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards.
When the NBA does announce its top 75 players of all time, it’s quite clear that it will include at least two former members of the Utah Jazz. Fans of the team will have to tune in on October 19th and 21st to find out whether it includes a few more.