Utah Jazz Notes

There’s been no more overblown story in my three years on the beat than the current one about the Jazz and Jerry Sloan moving toward a contract extension for the 2010-11 season, something that started out as 1 1-2 paragraphs in a notebook on NBA.com.

The Jazz, of course, have extended Sloan the invitation to return for a 23rd season. The idea that they wouldn’t is crazy with Sloan coming off his Hall of Fame induction and his stature as the only coach in NBA history ever to win 1,000 games with one team.

The idea, though, that Sloan is ready to make decisions about his future two games into the season is equally crazy. There’s no way for any coach to get a feel for what kind of team he’ll have or how his health will hold up to the rigors this early in the season.

The Jazz used to have a rule that Sloan never would enter a season without being under contract for at least one additional season in the future. That way, their players never would start thinking that the coach was a lame duck.

That changed the last two years, with Sloan signing one-year extensions to return at midseason. The first of those extensions was signed in December, the second in January, and there’s no reason to think things this year will happen any differently.

If the Jazz appear headed to a 30-52 season, I think Sloan’s going to have some decisions to make. Otherwise, he’s likely to return in 2010-11. Either way, he’s not going to have a clearer view of that future for some time.

In addition, Sloan reserves the right to walk away at any time if he decides enough is enough. A contract extension is only worth so much under those circumstances.

What’s most surprised me, however, was chief executive Greg Miller’s acknowledgment Sunday on KSL 5 that he has heard the criticism about bringing back Sloan.

That’s predominantly been driven on message boards and anonymous comments on newspaper sites, two places most team executives could care less about.

“I’d rather be criticized for being consistent and building on a foundation that’s worked for us over the years,” Miller said, “and try to improve on that than I would by being hair-triggered and just a flavor-of-the-month club.”

--Ross Siler