https://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1094570So after years of wondering why his jersey wasn't hanging in this arena, Dantley helped unveil his number 4, something many say was long overdue.
Dantley said if he hadn't been traded to Utah in 1979, he wouldn't have become the player he was. Frank Layden said if Dantley hadn't come to the Jazz, the team would not be here today.
Kelly Tripucka's decision to wear #4 was tinged with controversy as it was expected that Dantley's jersey would be retired one day, in spite of the acrimony around his departure. Tripucka's decision to change to his regular #7 was no less controversial.
By contrast, when Carlos Boozer arrived, his preferred number was #4, but aware of the history of the number (even though it still wasn't retired), chose to wear #5 instead.
The Jazz were Adrian Dantley's 4th NBA team after Buffalo, Indiana, and the Lakers.
This covers a lot of it:I remember seeing AD play for the Jazz but I was too young to notice the drama surrounding his leaving. I've heard bits over the years, but can anyone tell the whoel story? Was AD a difficult guy to get along with?
Mark Eaton was a 4th round draft pick for the Jazz who went on to hold the NBA records for most blocks in a season (456) and for career average in blocks per game (3.5). He led the league in Blocks four times (83-84, 84-85, 86-87 and 87-88).
In his rookie season (82-83), he came off the bench to record his first triple-double with 12 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 blocks. He also had 6 assists that game, close enough to say he nearly had a quadruple-double.
In the 84-85 season he recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 20 rebounds, and 14 blocks. In the same season he became the first player to block 10 shots in a playoff game and received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the first time.
In the 86-87 season he had a triple-double with 15 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 blocks. In his career he recorded 6 triple-doubles, all of points, rebounds and blocks.
He was selected in one All-Star game (1989) in spite of having no offensive game at all, and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second time the same season.
He holds the league record for most games with double-figure blocks (19).
His #53 jersey has been retired by the Utah Jazz, with whom he played his entire career.
Mark Eaton was left handed, and this may have helped him to be such an effective shot-blocker, because he could use his dominant hand to defend against predominantly right-handed shooters. The fact he was 7'4" tall probably helped too.
4 days after my 21st birthday 2 years ago,#24 Paul Millsap sank 4 clutch shots(3 treys) in 28 seconds and a put back at the horn against the Miami heat to send the game to overtime. This is one of many reasons most Jazz fans have an attachment to Paul millsap in their heart. Because he plays with 4X the heart as anyone one this team. Get Millslapped.
Wow mellow, you got ball rolling early on this one.