John Stockton's buzzer-beater in Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference finals that propelled the Jazz into their first NBA Finals.

But what about the second-most significant shot?

I have a nominee, even though it's one no one remembers.

On April 22, 1988, minor-league refugee Scott Roth nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer, giving Utah a 110-109 win at Seattle and the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.

As such, the Jazz drew Portland in the first round. They beat the Blazers and advanced against Magic, Kareem, Worthy and the 62-win Lakers.

In their first splash on the national scene, the Jazz lost the series but took mighty L.A. to seven games.

Still, Utah's position as a team on the rise was established.

Within eight months, Karl Malone and John Stockton started in the All-Star Game. The Jazz averaged 56 wins a season over the next decade and went to two NBA Finals.

It all started with that series against the Lakers, which probably would not have happened without Roth's game-winner in the next-to-last game of the regular season.

"It was a huge shot for me personally, too," Roth said. "It probably changed my life in some ways."

Mostly, the shot proved to Roth -- once and for all -- that hard work pays dividends.

Today, as coach of the NBA Developmental League's Bakersfield Jam, Roth shows video of his most significant shot to his players.

"Not because I made it," he explained, "but to show these kids that dreams come true. At the end of the day, you shoot a million of those in your backyard -- five, four, three, two, one. We all do. And that was my chance, in the greatest league in the world."

Roth played only parts of two seasons with the Jazz -- a total of 237 minutes in 42 games. Beyond his three at Seattle, he only scored 104 more points in Utah. But those days were the launching pad to a career in Basketball that continues in the D-League.

"I was very, very lucky to be around two of the greatest players in the history of the game and two of the greatest coaches -- Jerry Sloan and Frank Layden," Roth said.

"What I learned about doing the right things have come from the Jazz. To be around Jerry and Frank and Stockton and Malone for a few years, you can't help but be a competitor and try to do the right thing."

A year ago, Roth was a scout with the Milwaukee Bucks when the Jam, off to a 3-18 start, fired coach Jim Harrick.

Roth was offered the job, and his "itch" to return to the bench trumped any hesitation about leaving the NBA for the D-League.

"Most of the people thought I was nuts," he said. "Why would you leave the NBA to go to the D-League when everybody else is trying to do the opposite? But for me, it's always been about the journey and the experience -- about growing. And I wanted to be a better coach."

Roth's experience in the old CBA -- the D-League's grandfather -- also helped him make the decision.

"I feel comfortable here," he said. "I'm a semiproduct of this league -- the old CBA -- and that helps. Our players understand I was never a first-round pick or a great player. It was bump-and-grind to get where I am. But I made it and I hope our players take that to heart. I hope they understand that they can make it, too, with hard work and a little luck."

luhm@sltrib.com