The J-Notes
Fansided

Ranking the top 10 forwards in Utah Jazz history

By Nathan Smith

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Karl Malone (R) of the Utah Jazz battles for position with Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls 12 June during game five of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Bulls lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Karl Malone (R) of the Utah Jazz battles for position with Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls 12 June during game five of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Bulls lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /
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8 Nov 2000: Bryon Russell #3 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz defeated the Clippers 93-87. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross /Allsport
8 Nov 2000: Bryon Russell #3 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz defeated the Clippers 93-87. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross /Allsport /

7. Bryon Russell

Career numbers: 9.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 628 GP. 

It’s incredibly unfortunate that most fans memory of Russell is the push-off from Michael Jordan in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals, because he spent the entirety of his Jazz career as a fantastic defender and great role player for this squad. Bryon spent the first nine seasons of his career in Utah, and although he was never able to step up from the role player spot he filled so well, he was always very key for this team and their success, but at his best, he was one of the best role players in the game.

In his best years, Russell was able to average 14 and 5 over 80 games, showing that his averages don’t quite equate to his value to the team, as he was one of the key parts of the 1996 and 1997 Finals runs these iconic Jazz teams had. In another time on another team, Russell could have played an expanded role and been remembered as a much better player, but his unselfishness led to this being a great and deep team, and even if most people remember him for the illegal MJ push-off, Jazz fans will remember him as someone who was very talented and played hard for this franchise for a long time.