NBA Teams Remember, Honor Legendary Utah Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan
May 22, 2020, 9:48 AM | Updated: 5:46 pm
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel /Allsport via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – NBA teams remembered and honored legendary Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan after news broke that he had passed away at the age of 78 on Friday, May 22.
Sloan had been dealing with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia since April 2016.
When he resigned as the head coach of the Jazz on February 10, 2011, he was the longest-tenured head coach with an American major league sports franchise.
After learning of Sloan’s passing, franchises remembered and honored the Jazz legend.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz said, “Rest easy, Coach” with a heart emoji.
Rest easy, Coach ❤️
» https://t.co/5eonFoUR61 pic.twitter.com/ynrk0JnO0V
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) May 22, 2020
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls, who Sloan played for and had his jersey number retired by, said, “The Original Bull. Rest in peace, Jerry Sloan.”
“The Original Bull.”
Rest in peace, Jerry Sloan ❤️
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 22, 2020
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards organization shared their condolences to Sloan’s friends and family along with a message saying, “We join the entire NBA in mourning the passing of Jerry Sloan.”
We join the entire NBA in mourning the passing of Jerry Sloan.
We're honored that he started his Hall of Fame career as a player and coach with the Baltimore Bullets in 1965. Our condolences to his family and friends during this time. pic.twitter.com/0bYCEfJwtJ
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 22, 2020
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Jerry Sloan, the Utah Jazz and their fans.”
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Jerry Sloan, the @utahjazz and their fans 💚💛
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) May 22, 2020
Toronto Raptors
“Our thoughts are with the Sloan family and Jazz organization following the news of the passing of Jerry Sloan,” said the Toronto Raptors organization.
Our thoughts are with the Sloan family and Jazz organization following the news of the passing of Jerry Sloan 💜 pic.twitter.com/RdhtdwDDMv
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 22, 2020
San Antonio Spurs
Coach Pop’s statement on the passing of Jerry Sloan. pic.twitter.com/ihmVNfh8bI
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 22, 2020
Indiana Pacers
"I will miss Jerry and send my condolences to his family and many fans of the Utah Jazz."
Donnie Walsh on the passing of Jerry Sloan.
>> https://t.co/hmxRE1uhBZ pic.twitter.com/vjkAvDOgAV
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 22, 2020
Oklahoma City Thunder
We join the entire NBA community in mourning the loss of Jerry Sloan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sloan family and the Utah Jazz as we honor his legacy. pic.twitter.com/K4XmrfxNJA
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 22, 2020
Miami HEAT
Riley (cont'd): "Loyalty was his badge of honor and his no nonsense approach to competition was perfect for the game. Jerry will go down in history as one of the most admired great winners and respected teachers of basketball ever. I am humbled and saddened by his passing.”
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 22, 2020
Atlanta Hawks
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) May 22, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers
Thank you for all the battles, Jerry. pic.twitter.com/3m1c0eiobx
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 22, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers organization joins the NBA family in mourning the loss of Jerry Sloan. pic.twitter.com/vEAoVndKSX
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) May 22, 2020
Denver Nuggets
Paul paid his respect to a legend. pic.twitter.com/HHd7U8XgKO
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 22, 2020
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks organization mourns the loss of Jerry Sloan 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IxvO1qIkIZ
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 22, 2020
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Jerry Sloan pic.twitter.com/9E8xtx72Rg
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2020
NBA
The NBA Family mourns the loss of Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan (1942-2020). A tenacious NBA All-Defensive First Team defender and All-Star with the Chicago Bulls, Sloan authored one of the greatest coaching résumés in NBA history with the Utah Jazz. pic.twitter.com/hzVIa4pVtu
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2020
This story will be updated.