Both 'deserve' Hall of Fame News Utah Jazz

Ask about anyone affiliated with the Utah Jazz , and, not surprisingly, they'll tell you today's announcement that Jerry Sloan and John Stockton will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year is a "deserved" declaration for the duo. And on their first official tries, no less. "They both deserve it," said Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko. "They really set the tone of the Jazz for the last 20 years, and they're really the face of the Jazz ?

plus Karl Malone. Those three guys, everybody knows 'the Jazz.'" "They both deserve it," added Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson, who's been at Sloan's side for the past two decades. "There's no one that deserves it more than those two guys, so that will be a great thing for this franchise and a great thing individually for them." "They both deserve to be in there without a doubt," echoed former Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek. "It's a measure of success and longevity, and both of those guys had it," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said. Sloan doesn't hesitate to say Stockton is deserving of the accolades, but he isn't about to pound his own chest to gloat about his many accomplishments that helped earn him a place in Basketball immortality. He is, however, touched by the tribute that he never aspired to achieve. "It's a huge honor for me," Sloan admitted before Sunday's win at New Orleans. "I've never thought of those things when I played or have been involved in coaching. I've only been interested in trying to win games, and do the best you can." According to Frank Layden, it's about darn time the guy who replaced him 20 years ago last December earned an enshrinement invitation and trip to the hoops haven in Springfield, Mass. Others likely to be announced as members of the heavyweight Class of 2009 include Bulls legend Michael Jordan, Spurs great David Robinson and Rutgers women's coach C. Vivian Stringer. The enshrinement ceremony will take place in September. While Stockton, the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals, seemed a "no-brainer" to be voted in, as Sloan said, some didn't believe the case was quite so clear-cut for Sloan. Layden, for the record, wasn't among that crowd. He considers Sloan's call to the hall "long, long overdue," even saying that it likely would've happened years ago had he coached in a larger market. "I think Jerry certainly deserves it," Layden said. "There wasn't a doubt in my mind he should be in. If anybody didn't vote for him, they should be investigated." Before he'd received official word from the Hall of Fame, Sloan dished credit away from himself to those who've surrounded him over the years. He believes Jazz management, his assistants and players deserve kudos for the success and unprecedented longevity he's had. "I've been blessed with an owner that has never fired me ? that I know of," he said. "I think that's been a huge thing, to have those kind of people stick with you." Without those people ? such as legendary players Stockton and Karl Malone, owner Larry H. Miller, and fellow coaches Phil Johnson and the Laydens (Frank and Scott), to name a few ? Sloan doesn't think he would ever have lasted long enough with the Jazz to rack up a record number of wins with one franchise (1,042) and to become the NBA's fourth all-time-winningest coach. That is why getting enshrined with Stockton makes the achievement all the more meaningful to Sloan. "It's a tremendous honor just to have the opportunity to coach him," Sloan said, "and then to have that happen ? I wouldn't be there at all if it wasn't for him." Or, he admitted, all the others who've been at his side during the two NBA Finals runs, 17 playoff appearances with Utah and seven division championships. "I've had great coaches working with me. I've been fortunate that way. I never felt like it was about me. The game is not 'about me.' It's always been about the people I work with. That's the thing I've always enjoyed," Sloan said. "And the players have been terrific. We've been fortunate enough to have good players," he added. "But the bottom line is that Larry Miller was very cordial to us. People don't have any idea how important that is in this business. I guess that's the thing I appreciate the most when it's all said and done ? to still be in the same spot." ?Contributing: Tim Buckley. E-mail: jody@desnews.com