Since their inception in 1974, the Utah Jazz have been one of the most consistent clubs in the NBA. They've made the playoffs 30 times, won nine division titles, and twice made it to the NBA Finals. They have picked some of the finest players in NBA history, who have left their imprint on the franchise and the league.
Andrei Kirilenko
A dynamic forward from Russia, Andrei Kirilenko was selected 24th overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played with Utah for ten seasons, during which time he was a three-time All-Defensive Team selection, an All-Star in 2004, and a leader in blocks and thefts. In 2007, he also assisted Utah in reaching the Western Conference Finals. With Utah, he had a game average of 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.0 blocks.
Deron Williams
Deron Williams, a talented point guard who had helped his Illinois team to the national championship game as a junior, was selected third overall in the 2005 NBA Draft out of Illinois. With Utah for six seasons, he was a two-time All-Star, a member of the All-NBA Second Team, and among the best playmakers and shooters in the game. Additionally, he steered Utah to four playoff appearances and two appearances in the Western Conference Finals in 2007 and 2010. With Utah, he had a game average of 17.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert, a strong center who came out of France in the 2013 draft, was selected 27th overall. He played nine seasons with Utah, where he developed into one of the league's top defenders and rebounders. With Utah, he has been named to two All-NBA teams, two All-Defensive First Teams, three Defensive Player of the Year accolades, and three All-Star teams. Additionally, he has twice led the league in both blocks and rebounds. With Utah, he has put up 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
John Stockton
One of the best players to ever don a Jazz jersey was John Stockton, who is regarded as the greatest point guard of all time. In 1984, he was selected with the 16th overall pick out of Gonzaga, where he twice won the West Coast Conference Player of the Year award. He played with Utah for the entirety of his 19-year career, during which he was a ten-time All-Star, five times selected to the All-NBA First Team, five times selected to the All-Defensive Team, and a part of the original Dream Team that won the 1992 Olympic Gold. He holds the record for both assists (15,806) and steals (3,265) in the NBA. Alongside Karl Malone, he also guided Utah to two NBA Finals trips in 1997 and 1998.
Karl Malone
One of the best power forwards of all time, Karl Malone is also the greatest player to ever don a Jazz jersey. Out of Louisiana Tech, where he had won the Southland Conference Player of the Year twice, he was selected 13th overall in the 1985 NFL Draft. He played for Utah for 18 seasons, winning two MVP awards along the way. He was also a 14-time All-Star, a member of the All-NBA First Team eleven times, a three-time All-Defensive Team selection, and a part of the original Dream Team that captured the 1992 Olympic gold. With 36,928 career points, he is second on the NBA's all-time scoring list. With 14,968 career rebounds, he is sixth.
Must Read |
