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Top 5 Jazz moments of 2002
by Carlos Cardoso
5 - Jazz Ink Harpring (08/17/2002)
full story
from NBA.com
August 15, 2002 -- Utah Jazz President, Dennis Haslam, announced today
that the team has signed four-year NBA veteran Matt Harpring to a
contract. The 6-7 forward/guard joins the team after the best NBA season
of his career, averaging 11.8 ppg and 7.1 rebounds in 81 games for the
Philadelphia 76ers. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not
released.
“Matt brings to our team the kind of energy our coaches appreciate in a
player,” Haslam said. “He will fit into Jerry’s system and will be able
to play multiple positions when he is on the floor. He’s still a young
player but he’s improved every year he’s been in the league and this is
a clear indication of his desire and attitude. Matt was highly sought
after by several teams so we are very pleased he made the decision to
play for the Jazz. Kevin (O’Connor) has been working hard to put this
deal together…even in the midst of a family vacation. We think it will
be a great fit for both Matt and the Jazz.”
4 - Utah 93, Dallas 81 (12/20/2002)
Full story
from NBA.com
Jazz End Mavs' Home Streak
DALLAS, Dec. 20 (Ticker) -- Neither of the Nelsons were around at the
end to see the Dallas Mavericks' first home loss of the season.
Matt Harpring scored 19 points as the Utah Jazz posted a 93-81 victory
over the Mavericks in a game in which both Dallas coach Don Nelson and
assistant Donn Nelson were ejected in the second half.
"We didn't get any calls or we didn't deserve any calls because we
didn't play with any type of energy across the board," Mavericks center
Shawn Bradley said. "We're going to have to do that to beat good teams."
At 12-0 at the American Airlines Center, Dallas came in as the NBA's
only unbeaten home team. But they fell victim to the Jazz, who snapped a
four-game losing streak by holding the Mavericks to just 33 percent
shooting (25-of-75). Dallas still owns the NBA's best record at 22-4.
"That was a great team effort on the defensive end," Utah forward Karl
Malone said. "Everybody wants to talk about offense all the time, but
that was a great defensive effort."
3 - No. 14 is the star of the evening
(11/20/2002)
Full
story from the Deseret News
By Mike Sorensen
Deseret News sports writer
On the night when the Jazz played their best game of the year and even
received a bunch of compliments from their hard-to-please coach, the
star of the evening was guy who didn't even suit up.
Jeff Hornacek, who often played in the shadows of more-famous teammates,
overshadowed everyone at the Delta Center Tuesday night when his No. 14
was retired to the rafters.
The celebration had started the night before with a dinner, and fans
arriving at Tuesday's game saw spotlights on the outside of the Delta
Center featuring Hornacek's No. 14. Fans on the lower bowl found
placards taped to their seats for a "surprise card stunt" at halftime.
During the first half, testimonials by some of Hornacek's teammates were
shown on the Jumbotron as well as highlights of his career.
Hornacek sat on the front row with his wife, Stacy, and their three
children next to Jazz owner Larry Miller and his wife, Gail. It might
have been the first time anyone had seen Hornacek wearing a coat and
tie.
2 - Utah 93, Sacramento 86 (04/23/2002)
Full story
from NBA.com
Cool Jazz Snap Road Skid and Knot Series
SACRAMENTO, Calif, April 23 (Ticker) -- Vlade Divac said the Utah Jazz
were done. John Stockton and the Utah Jazz have been hearing that for 10
years.
The eighth-seeded Jazz built a big lead and Stockton made sure they held
it as they stunned the top-seeded Sacramento Kings, 93-86, to even their
Western Conference first-round series at one game each.
After the Kings held off the Jazz, 89-86, on Saturday, Divac said, "That
was their best chance, and they still lost ... so they're done."Stockton
had other ideas.
"The games can go any way," Stockton said. "As we know in this league,
you can win by 30 or lose by 30 the next night. That is just the way the
league is. In the playoffs, you have a long time to look at each other."
1 - Yes, Stockton to return (08/08/2002)
Full
story from the Deseret News
By Tim Buckley
Deseret News sports writer
The day after John Stockton told Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller and
other team officials that he would be back for his 19th season, the Utah
Jazz announced their preseason schedule — which includes a trip to
Stockton's hometown.
The image of John Stockton leading the fast break won't be one of the
past quite yet -- the Jazz guard said he will play the coming season.
Stockton, who turned 40 in March, signed a two-year contract prior to
last season. Still, there had been some speculation that he would retire
— although all indications in recent weeks were that he would return.
And now it's official.
Stockton, who is the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals, will
be just the second guard in league history to start a season after his
40th birthday, the other being seldom-used John Long who was with the
Raptors in 1996. Only two players have had much impact in the NBA after
their 40th birthdays — centers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Parish.
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