THROUGH THE YEARS
	Year	Record	Playoffs
	1994-95	60-22	2-3
	1995-96	55-27	10-8
	1996-97	64-18	13-8
	1997-98	62-20	13-8
	1998-99	37-13	5-6
	Totals	278-100	43-31

Strengths and weaknesses
Once the franchise moved to Utah, the player personnel on the Jazz became well-organized under Frank Layden, who was for a while both coach and general manager; and his son, Scott -- director of player personnel during the team's formative years -- until he moved to the Knicks this season. The team has made relatively few player transactions, choosing instead to keep its key players together and to maintain coaching continuity.

The result is that, even at an advanced age by basketball standards, the Jazz is one of the NBA's most efficient teams and is a pleasure to watch. Its offensive execution remains one of the best; Stockton, Malone, Jeff Hornacek and Bryon Russell play in marvelous harmony on offense and bulldog-tough determination on defense. There is improved play at center with the effort-play of Polynice and the recent addition of Gilliam, who combine to make up for the disappointing performance of Ostertag. Eisley is another positive constant -- most effectively as Stockton's backup -- off an otherwise thin bench.

Although Sloan has driven his team to an unexpected position currently at the top of the Midwest Division, and has led the Jazz to the NBA Finals twice (1997 and 1998), Utah will not go deep into the playoffs this time. Age and nagging injuries have sapped the ability of the key Jazz trio (Stockton, Malone and Hornacek) to play at its best performance level in clusters of games. That factor, the lack of a strong center, and the absence of consistent bench help will prove fatal against the best teams (Lakers and Portland) in the Western Conference.

The Jazz misses Shandon Anderson badly. (He took less money to play at Houston where he found a more comfortable living atmosphere than in Salt Lake City). Anderson was an energetic jump-starter off the bench in back of either Russell or Hornacek. He defended both positions well and was a difficult matchup for opposing teams. In his absence, Sloan is forced to go with a combination of Eisley, Vaughn and the rookie Lewis ... and that isn't good enough for playoff success.

Don't expect anything but all-out war from the proud Jazz, however. If the team goes down, it will only be after expending its utmost effort and demonstrating its most cohesive team play.

The Future
Jeff Hornacek retires after this season; Stockton will probably hang up his sneakers after one more season; and Malone won't be far behind, even though he has a few more years left on his contract. Don't expect Sloan to continue to coach without them. That leaves only owner Larry Miller to try to fill those mammoth voids.

It will be Miller's most daunting challenge.