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With Malone and Stockton as the foundation, the Jazz reached two NBA Finals and three Western Conference finals between 1992 and 1998. Malone remains the No. 2 scorer in league history. Stockton is the all-time leader in assists and steals. “What we all shared is so special,” Stockton said. “I just hope this can be resolved, because it was a special time for me and for everyone. I’d hate to see anything outside the lines … ever come back and tarnish it.” Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Jerry Sloan, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Greg Miller 

O’Connor referred to a statement released by the team from Sloan, who spoke of unwavering support from the Miller family at the time of his resignation. “I left on my own volition,” the statement read. “It is not true that the Millers undermined my authority as head coach. I had their complete backing to run the team as I wished and was assured that no player could ever overrule my decisions. “The Millers encouraged me to stay with the team and gave me multiple opportunities to do so. They felt strongly that I should wait at least until the end of the season to resign and did everything they could to keep me coaching.” When contacted by The Tribune, Sloan declined further comment. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Jerry Sloan, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Greg Miller 

Relationship with John Stockton: We had the most unbelievable function connection on the court. We didn’t even think about it. That started from the Olympic tryouts when he got cut by Bobby Knight and I got cut by Bobby Knight. Personally, Nada and Stock is the godparent to our daughter Kadee and we’re the godparent, me and my wife, to Samuel, their last son. Our friendship and family connections is from now til the end. But we have differences. I’m an outdoorsman to the core, to the heart. I carry a knife all the time. That’s just part of me. Stock is more into wildlife saving, if there’s such a word. I’m more into the wildlife management part of it, but it take both. … Stock would fish. He love fishing, by the way. People don’t know that. We had one of the most unbelievable function trips ever when we went to see him and we went fishin. Trust me, Stock know how to do it right. So we went fishin and had a great time. I have to say the rest, ’cause he’ll rub it in. [in Stock voice] “And you say you’re this big-time fisherman.” He out-fished me that day. The fishin and huntin god would punish me if I don’t tell the truth, but he did outfish me that day. Living and Dying by the Jazz

Utah Jazz, Karl Malone, John Stockton 

Meanwhile, the Jazz have been criticized by some agents who have requested anonymity before railing against what they say are the team’s tightfisted ways. But many more players say the organization represents the best of what the NBA has to offer. Then there’s Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, a longtime Jazz supporter who hears two questions when he travels across the country: Are you Mormon, and wasn’t John Stockton great? “The legacy of Larry Miller is going to live on forever … in this community,” Becker said. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, John Stockton, Greg Miller, Ralph Becker, Larry H. Miller 

Patrick Rishe, sports business professor at Webster University in St. Louis, said the unparalleled consistency is invaluable to a small-market franchise in a big-market league. Factor in Salt Lake’s geographic isolation and the lack of entertainment options in the region, and the Jazz have come to represent Utah as much as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does. “Much like Chicago still benefits from all those [Michael] Jordan years, Utah still benefits from all those Stockton and Malone years,” said Rishe, who is also the director of Sportsimpacts, a consulting firm. “[The Jazz are] going to have fans. Even though I’m sure they get frustrated at times — the level of success maybe isn’t as consistent as it was during those years — there are always going to be Jazz fans because they got hooked in those days.” Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Karl Malone, John Stockton 

Westminster College product Michael Stockton has signed a professional contract with the BG Karlsruhe Polar Bears in Germany. Stockton, who graduated from Westminster last spring, will report to his new team on Aug. 1. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue my basketball career at the professional level," Stockton said. "Having played at Westminster has prepared me to take on this challenge. Karlsruhe is a quality club and I am excited to get started." Stockton finished his collegiate career ranked second in Westminster history in steals and third in assists. Salt Lake Tribune

John Stockton, Germany, Michael Stockton 

Brian T. Smith: Ex-Jazz's John Stockton, courtesy of SLT's @slhum: "[The NBA] is such a great deal for all of us. But when we forget that and when the owners and the players forget — that's when the problems arise." Twitter

Utah Jazz, CBA, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA, John Stockton 

You still wear the opposing team's shorts to bed before each game. What are the worst ones you've ever worn? Jason Terry: The Utah Jazz. John Stockton's. Stockton didn't give them to me, but I got them from the actual ball kid in the arena. When I looked at them, I knew they were his, because they were the shortest thing out there, and then they had his No. 12 on the inside. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, John Stockton, Jason Terry 

Three full-color photos of legendary Jazz point guard John Stockton line the entrance to the team’s practice facility. A basketball bearing Stockton’s signature is encased in glass, as is his No. 12 jersey. Inside Utah’s gym, Stockton’s name appears three more times, sharing space with fellow Hall of Famers Jerry Sloan and Karl Malone. Michael Stockton embraced it all Tuesday. Rather than ignore his father’s lofty place in Jazz history, the son of one of the most respected players to ever grace the hardwood said that he turned the heavy weight into motivation. “It’s really cool to come back and see all of this again, now that I’m older and I understand it all a little bit better. This is really an amazing place,” said Michael, who participated in a draft workout with former BYU guard Jackson Emery, guard Mustapha Farrakhan (Virginia) and guard Brady Morningstar (Kansas). Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Draft, John Stockton, Michael Stockton 

Two familiar names from the local basketball scene highlight the group of draft hopefuls who will work out for the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Westminster point guard Michael Stockton, the son of Jazz Hall of Famer John Stockton, and BYU shooting guard Jackson Emery will join Virginia guard Mustapha Farrakhan and Kansas guard Brady Morningstar in a private workout at the team's practice facility. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Draft, John Stockton, Michael Stockton, Jackson Emery, Mustapha Farrakhan, Brady Morningstar 

But unlike his father, David had to prove he belonged playing Division I basketball. He didn’t have any scholarship offers coming out of high school in Spokane. He walked on to the Zags and earned a full scholarship for this season through hard work. Stockton’s play drew the attention of his father’s former N.B.A. rivals. Magic Johnson, who knows a little something about playing guard, watched the game on television and posted his thoughts on Twitter. “I’m enjoying watching my old rival,” Johnson wrote. “Like father, like son.” New York Times

Draft, Magic Johnson, John Stockton 

"During our prime we would have never left," Payton said. "I always wanted to play against Karl and them, I wanted to play against John (Stockton). I didn't want to play with them and make the game easy. We wanted our own market." Orlando Sentinel

Utah Jazz, Seattle SuperSonics, Gary Payton, Karl Malone, John Stockton 

During a game in that 2001 first round, Cuban's first full season as Dallas owner, he said he ran into Sloan when Jazz guard John Stockton was at the free-throw line. "Right when I got to the league, nobody knew what to expect from me,'' said Cuban, one of the NBA's more freewheeling guys while Sloan has been one of the more conservative, said before his team faced Denver on Thursday night at the Pepsi Center. "It was in a situation where it was in a playoff series that we ended up winning (with) Calvin Booth (hitting a late jumper in Game 5 to win 3-2). John Stockton went to the line with 2.7 seconds to go. FanHouse.com

Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Coaching, Mark Cuban, Jerry Sloan, John Stockton 

"While he was shooting his second free throw, I noticed there was 2.0 seconds to go. So I got a little upset. So I went over and I was like, 'What the hell is wrong with the scorer's table?' And (Sloan's) like, 'Look at him. What is he doing?' So I blew him a kiss.'' What did Sloan do? "He just shook his head and walked away,'' Cuban said. "You don't deal with a crazy guy. That was my first encounter. But I've always had a ton of respect for him.'' FanHouse.com

Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Coaching, Mark Cuban, Jerry Sloan, John Stockton 

Steve Luhm: John Stockton retired almost 8 years ago."I have an inkling of how [Sloan] feels. ... You just get kind of tired and it bursts out." Twitter

Utah Jazz, Coaching, Jerry Sloan, John Stockton 

"He's a fox-hole guy and those people are rare," legendary point guard John Stockton said. "So is Phil. They've been a package deal for a long time. The Jazz are losing two incredible people in one swoop, but I know they will rebound." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Coaching, Jerry Sloan, John Stockton 

Kris Humphries: It's strange to watch Stockton's kid play. He has all the same on court mannerisms his dad had. Feels like I'm watching John play. Twitter

New Jersey Nets, Kris Humphries, John Stockton 

Question: Did Stockton help you become a Hall of Famer? Karl Malone: "No doubt. But a lot of people helped me get to the Hall of Fame. For me, everything had to totally fall in the right place. ... I had Frank Layden dare to take a chance on a guy from Louisiana. I had to have Jerry Sloan as my coach -- to continue to run the [same] plays for 18 years. I had to have John Stockton to pass me the ball for 18 years. And also, I had to have state of Utah embrace me -- a black kid from Louisiana going to Utah. But the people of Utah accepted me from the first day." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Karl Malone, Hall of Fame, John Stockton 

Question: What is your favorite memory of your 18 seasons with the Jazz? Answer: My best memory was the shot Stock hit in Houston to go to the NBA Finals for the first time. And No. 2 would have to be getting my first MVP [trophy]. The Delta Center was packed. People were having a great time. And they were all Jazz fans -- just happy Jazz fans." Salt Lake Tribune

Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Karl Malone, Hall of Fame, John Stockton