Any retired jerseys before Gobert?

[candrew]

I don't think The Jazz will ever retire AK's number. If they do, it will be years out like with Dantley.

There was some bitterness with how things went down when he signed the max contract and the The Jazz coaching staff felt he didn't put in the same effort after he got paid.

It also bears mentioning that as The Jazz got better player in the mid/late 2000's, AK's role on the team diminished - not the hallmark of a player who has their number retired.

 

[oneye]

Donovans jersey should be retired immediately

And the statue today

 

[Getting Traded]

I don't think The Jazz will ever retire AK's number. If they do, it will be years out like with Dantley.

There was some bitterness with how things went down when he signed the max contract and the The Jazz coaching staff felt he didn't put in the same effort after he got paid.

It also bears mentioning that as The Jazz got better player in the mid/late 2000's, AK's role on the team diminished - not the hallmark of a player who has their number retired.

I think his diminishing role had something to do with both Jerry and DWill, and probably more with DWill. The Jazz would've been better using AK than RB for the back cut dunk, as AK was both a better finisher and quicker to the rim. RB playing SG was not good for AK because neither were good outside shooters. Actually, AK, was a better PF than Boozer; while he didn't score like Booze, overall his impact was greater when he played PF. AK's role diminished because he simply was no longer a good fit with that team.

 

[MilesDeep]

IMO, AK doesn't deserve number retirement, or even much discussion really. Too much wasted talent. I agreed/argued he was worth the max, and felt like I was wrong pretty much immediately. Injuries derailed the desire for extreme effort and his athleticism was no longer a tier above because of it. He became the guy that would drive into people and flop/flail hoping to get a foul, I was so disappointed in what he became.

 

[Getting Traded]

IMO, AK doesn't deserve number retirement, or even much discussion really. Too much wasted talent. I agreed/argued he was worth the max, and felt like I was wrong pretty much immediately. Injuries derailed the desire for extreme effort and his athleticism was no longer a tier above because of it. He became the guy that would drive into people and flop/flail hoping to get a foul, I was so disappointed in what he became.

As much of an AK homer that I am, I totally agree with you.

 

[Ellipse]

I think the real argument, and this isnt going to be popular, the Jazz should have probably moved on from Sloan quicker.

The Jazz are loyal to a fault, and that's a big reason why I like the ownership. Firing Sloan would have reduced us to the same front-office mediocrity we see in so many franchises.

I vote for the franchise remaining a class act.

 

[Joe Bagadonuts]

Curious As To How you will feel about Gobert when he heads for a team with a real shot at a Chip!

Congrats. You just made my ignore list.

 

[oneye]

The Jazz are loyal to a fault, and that's a big reason why I like the ownership. Firing Sloan would have reduced us to the same front-office mediocrity we see in so many franchises.

I vote for the franchise remaining a class act.

The Jazz loyalty is something to respect. There’s no way in hell you ever let Sloan go or ask him to step down. A hall of fame coach that did so much for us as fans and this franchise should have been allowed to leave on his own terms and he was even if it was at a fault for a few years. It plus into the overall perception of the Jazz and helps them look good around the league, not to mention it’s sincere and not just for good PR. The Jazz are a great, loyal organization and you can only hope they get paid back with loyalty when it comes down to it.

 

[LifeOnaPlate]

The Jazz are loyal to a fault, and that's a big reason why I like the ownership. Firing Sloan would have reduced us to the same front-office mediocrity we see in so many franchises.

I vote for the franchise remaining a class act.

This culture thing matters, I suppose. I wouldn't have wanted the team to fire Jerry. I was hoping he'd retire a year or two earlier.

 

[gregbroncs]

The thing is the Jazz retired Mark Eaton and Jeff Hornacek, so the bar isnt super high on getting your jersey retired.

AK tops in all total stats for Utah. The more I think about it, he probably should get his jersey retired if Eaton/Hornacek did.

Eaton did a lot for this franchise when it was in the dump. Defensively he was light years ahead of AK.

Hornacek was a key piece in 2 championship runs. I'm not sure he should have had his jersey retired here but being beloved and being a key piece in 2 runs to the finals and multiple other fun playoff runs apparently was enough. AK didn't have any of that.

 

[infection]

Eaton was Gobert before Gobert was Gobert.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Eaton did a lot for this franchise when it was in the dump. Defensively he was light years ahead of AK.

Hornacek was a key piece in 2 championship runs. I'm not sure he should have had his jersey retired here but being beloved and being a key piece in 2 runs to the finals and multiple other fun playoff runs apparently was enough. AK didn't have any of that.

I get why, the bar is still low because of them tho. People definitely still love AK. You still see his jersey at Utah games.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Eaton was Gobert before Gobert was Gobert.

No, not really. He was a really big slow center who played in an era where it was easier to block shots and when being a really big slow center wasnt a death knell in the NBA.

 

[infection]

No, not really. He was a really big slow center who played in an era where it was easier to block shots and when being a really big slow center wasnt a death knell in the NBA.

So when they retired his number they should have compared him to the 2018 game?

 

[nateboz]

Y'all going to act like Jarron Collins wasn't a thing or what?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

So when they retired his number they should have compared him to the 2018 game?

You are the one who compared them dude. They arent really anything alike.

 

[infection]

You are the one who compared them dude. They arent really anything alike.

He was Gobert before Gobert. Truth.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

He was Gobert before Gobert. Truth.

No, that is Mutumbo/Russell.

Mark Eaton was the predecessor to Shawn Bradley.

 

[Ellipse]

No, that is Mutumbo/Russell.

Mark Eaton was the predecessor to Shawn Bradley.

"Rudy Gobert is the best Utah Jazz center since Mark Eaton."

What makes that statement true is why Eaton's number was retired. Shawn Bradley was a scarecrow and was easily pushed out of the paint by smaller players. No one moved Eaton.