1997-98 Utah Jazz Record: 62-20, Lost in NBA Finals v Chicago Bulls 2-4
Diehard Utah Jazz fans know this was the second of two consecutive seasons in which the team lost to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. The season prior is getting the nod because they won 2 more regular season games. There is nothing else to distinguish the two seasons from each other.
Karl Malone was still winning his ongoing battle with Father Time. At the age of 34, he averaged 27.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists. John Stockton may have been showing signs of decline, but he was still an upper tier point guard with averages of 12.0 points and 8.5 assists per contest.
Otherwise, the two best players in Utah Jazz history were flanked by a platoon of solid role players. Guys like Greg Ostertag, Bryon Russell, Howard Eisley and Shandon Anderson may not have been household names, but they provided ample support for the dynamic duo and Jeff Hornacek.
It was a remarkably successful season, but it just wasn’t enough to to dethrone arguably the greatest dynasty in NBA history.