Asked if the John Stockton and Karl Malone-led Jazz would beat the current version, which features Olympic gold medalists Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, O'Connor, the team's vice president of basketball operations, smiled but said nothing.
When it was suggested such a game would be a competitive one between the experienced, championship-caliber Jazz of the late 1990s and the up-and-coming Jazz of today, O'Connor broke his politically correct silence.
"I hope it would be a good game," he said. "They went to the Finals a couple of times, so that would mean we're a pretty good team. . . . Honestly, we still have a way to grow. Not go, but grow. And I think we will grow because we're still a young team."
Former Jazz coach Tom Nissalke agrees that Stockton and Malone would be a handful for Williams and Boozer, mostly because of the Mailman.
"The '97 and '98 teams were just better," Nissalke said. "Karl and John are Hall of Famers, and Deron might be one of these days. But Carlos - as much as I respect him as a player - he's not Karl Malone. I mean, Karl Malone is probably one of the best three or four power forwards of all-time - maybe even the best of all time."
Along with their established 1-2 punch of Stockton and Malone, the Jazz of the late '90s were a better defensive team.
Center Greg Osterag, despite being a liability on offense, gave his team a shot-blocker around the basket that today's team lacks. Backups Antione Carr and Greg Foster were also physical power players who prospered during the day when the rules allowed greater physical contact.
During their best two seasons, the Jazz allowed 94 points a game - five less than Utah allowed over the past two years.
"They were really a team that maximized their talents," O'Connor said.
Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson says the difference between the two teams is" . . . rather obvious. That other team had a lot of experience. By the time our better players got to the Finals, they were so experienced and they had been through so many situations together, not much bothered them."
Because of the leadership provided by Stockton and Malone, the Jazz also had outstanding chemistry which, according to Johnson, is built when players experience adversity together.
"I thought the one thing that other team had was tremendous rapport," he said. "This team has very good talent, but this team just hasn't been tested like that team was. The primary players haven't been through as much."
During their two best seasons, Stockton and Malone led the Jazz to 126 regular season wins. They were 74-8 at the EnergySolutions Arena and, interestingly considering the ages of the two cornerstone players, got stronger as the year progressed.
In 1996-97, the Jazz went 33-4 down the stretch.
In 1997-98, they were 32-5 in their last 37 games.
"I don't think you can compare that team to our team now simply because we haven't been through the same wars," coach Jerry Sloan said. "If you put them through the same wars, I'd say, 'O.K., this is who they are.' Then I'd have a better chance to analyze it. But right now, I don't think you can compare."
One of the old Jazz team's most important qualities, its coach says, was an ability to keep trying. Before getting to the Finals for the first time in 1997, the Stockton and Malone-led Jazz lost three times in the Western Conference finals (1992, 1994 and 1996).
"A lot of times, those guys got beat," Sloan said. "But to see them keep coming back the following year and want to go after it again, that was really something. . . .
"John and Karl were superstar players. Deron and Booz are getting to that level. But John and Karl were very experienced when they were in the Finals. They knew exactly how to do this, this and this. Our guys now, they're just learning that."
Williams and Boozer have led their Jazz team to 105 wins over the last two seasons, including 68-14 at home.
At this point in their development, O'Connor will take it.
"I remember watching the Jazz play the Bulls in one of those Finals," he said. "I was working in Philadelphia at the time and I remember a comment [coach] Larry Brown made.
"We were watching one night and the Jazz were playing well and he said, 'Now people will understand how good they are, how well they execute, how well they're coached and how good John [Stockton] and Karl [Malone] are.' "
THE STARTERS: HEAD-TO-HEAD
SMALL FORWARD
Bryon Russell vs. C.J. Miles: Two 2nd-round draft picks. Russell was a better defender. Miles is more athletic. Both can make 3-pointers, which helps open the floor.
Advantage: Russell
POWER FORWARD
Karl Malone vs. Carlos Boozer: Malone is one of the best power forwards in history. Boozer is one of the best in his era. Malone owns a clear edge in athleticism and defensively.
Advantage: Malone
CENTER
Greg Ostertag vs. Memo Okur: Despite what most fans thinks, Ostertag's length and defense were critical. Still, Okur scores more in a quarter than Ostertag did in a week.
Advantage: Okur
SHOOTING GUARD
Jeff Hornacek vs. Ronnie Brewer: Brewer would be a hard-guard because of his size and strength, but Hornacek's savvy, toughness and outside shooting made him invaluable.
Advantage: Hornacek
POINT GUARD
John Stockton vs. Deron Williams: Williams' edge would be his size and strength, but Stockton never backed down from anyone. Usually, the bigger the challenge, the better he played.
Advantage: Stockton
