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Adrian Dantley, No. 3
Who he was » Dantley arrived in trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for Spencer Haywood during the team's first training camp in Salt Lake City in 1979 and was the team's leading scorer for seven seasons. A longstanding fued with coach Frank Layden and the emergence of Karl Malone as an inside scorer led to Dantley's being traded to Detroit for Kelly Tripucka and Kent Benson in 1986. He's now a Denver assistant coach.
Why he's No. 3 » There were some controversial moments in Dantley's Jazz career and the team waited a long time before retiring his No. 4 in 2007, but there's no questioning his impact. A remarkable inside scorer as a 6-foot-5 forward, Dantley twice led the league in scoring -- including 1983-84, when he averaged 30.6 points and lifted the Jazz into the playoffs for the first time. A six-time All-Star, Dantley ranks third on the Jazz's single-game
Pete Maravich, No. 4
Who he was » Acquired by the expansion Jazz from Atlanta for several draft picks in 1974, the former LSU star was a big hit for five seasons in New Orleans, although he never quite carried the team into the playoffs. His Jazz career ended unceremoniously in January 1980, the team's first season in Utah, when he was waived after a knee injury had limited him to 17 games. The franchise retired his No. 7 in 1985, about two years before he died of a heart attack.
Why he's No. 4 » Maravich played for some bad Jazz teams, but he was an amazing scorer and showman. He still holds the franchise's season scoring record (31.1), set in 1976-77, when he scored a record 68 points against New York. Maravich appeared in three All-Star Games and was selected to the All-NBA first team twice, recognition topped only by Karl Malone in Jazz history. Maravich ranks sixth all-time in points (8,324) and assists (1,844). Based on average, he's third in scoring (25.2) and fourth in assists (5.6).
Mark Eaton, No. 5
Who he was » The Jazz drafted the 7-foot-4 center in the fourth round in 1982, even though he played a total of 41 minutes as a UCLA senior. Eaton became one of the NBA's all-time biggest success stories during his 11 seasons with the Jazz, before back problems led to his retirement.
Why he's No. 5 » His long stay (874 games, ranking third) with the franchise helps, and his length certainly does not hurt his cause in these rankings. While he was a serviceable offensive player at best, he was a true defensive force in the NBA. Besides being a steadying influence on the team, Eaton dominated the NBA's shot-blocking competition in his prime, earning two Defensive Player of the Year awards and leading the league in blocks four times in a five-year stretch as the Jazz became annual playoff qualifiers. Consider that in 2007-08, the Jazz's single-game high was nine blocks as a team. In his career, Eaton had 18 games of 10 blocks or more.
Jeff Hornacek, No. 6
Who he was » Having arrived from Philadelphia in a trade-deadline deal involving Jeff Malone in February 1994, the guard played in nearly every game before retiring in 2000. He's credited as the player who eventually helped John Stockton and Karl Malone reach the NBA Finals, and is often cited by coach Jerry Sloan for making the Jazz a much better road team. Hornacek is a part-time shooting coach for the Jazz.
Why he's No. 6 » The Jazz retired his No. 14, honoring his major role for the best teams in franchise history. In those NBA Finals years (1997 and '98), he was amazingly consistent -- averaging 14.5 and 14.2 points, while shooting 48.2 percent from the field each season. The beneficiary of open looks because of Stockton's passing and Malone's inside presence, Hornacek shot 42.8 percent from three-point range in his Jazz career, easily the franchise record. He's also No. 1 in free throw-shooting (minimum 250 made) at 89.7 percent.
Deron Williams, No. 7
Who he was » The Jazz traded up to No. 3 in the 2005 NBA draft to take the point guard, who had led Illinois to an NCAA runner-up finish as a junior. After an up-and-down rookie season, he established himself as a team leader and one of the league's top players, helping the Jazz reach the Western Conference finals in his second year. His improvement has continued this season, as he kept the Jazz afloat during Carlos Boozer's lengthy absence.
Why he's No. 7 » He could rank higher, except for not having received All-Star recognition or played in the NBA Finals. Williams made the All-NBA second team last season and performed brilliantly in 12 playoff games, averaging 21.6 points and 10.0 assists in 42.8 minutes, while shooting 49 percent from the field. He followed that by becoming a steady contributor during the Olympics as the U.S. team won the gold medal.
Williams expects to remain a franchise cornerstone, having signed a maximum contract that will take effect next season.
Darrell Griffith, No. 8
Who he was » Drafted No. 2 overall from Louisville's NCAA championship team in 1980, the guard became an immediate star for a struggling franchise and remained a fixture for 11 years, although he missed the 1985-86 season with a broken foot. Griffith's No. 35 was retired in 1993, making him the second Jazz player so honored.
Why he's No. 8 » While he never achieved All-Star status, Griffith was the NBA Rookie of the Year and was a remarkably consistent performer until being affected by injuries. He played in all 82 games and averaged 20.0 points while shooting 49 percent from the field in 1983-84 when the Jazz made their first playoff appearance, and improved to 22.2 points the following year.
Nicknamed "Dr. Dunkenstein" in college, Griffith also helped the Jazz become marketable with his entertaining style after arriving for the team's second season in Utah. Only three players top Griffith's 765 games played for the Jazz, and he also ranks in the top four in several other categories, including points (12,391).
Carlos Boozer, No. 9
Who he is » Signed as a free agent from Cleveland during the Jazz's spending spree in the summer of 2004, the forward has lost roughly half of three seasons to injuries during his five years in Utah - including this season, when he missed 45 games. When healthy, he has often played at an All-Star level, but remains a source of fans' dissatisfaction about his lack of availability, consistency and defensive effort.
Why he's No. 9 » Boozer is one of five players in franchise history with two or more All-Star selections and one of six to receive All-NBA recognition (third team, 2007-08).
In 29 games, Boozer is the Jazz's all-time playoff leader in rebounding average (12.2) and is third in scoring (20.4) behind Adrian Dantley and Karl Malone. In the Western Conference playoffs in 2007, he averaged 23.5 points and 12.2 rebounds, highlighted by a 35-point, 14-rebound effort in a Game 7 victory at Houston.
Rickey Green, No. 10
Who he was » Discovered by Jazz general manager Frank Layden during a visit to Billings (Mont.) of the Continental Basketball Association, Green and teammate Jeff Wilkins came to Utah in December 1980. Green stayed for eight seasons, mostly as the starting point guard, before going to Charlotte via the expansion draft.
Why he's No. 10 » As much as any player, Green symbolized the Jazz's growth as a franchise. He became an All-Star in 1984, when he averaged 13.2 points and 9.2 assists as the team reached the playoffs for the first time.
Nicknamed "The Fastest of Them All" by broadcaster Hot Rod Hundley, Green played in 606 games, ranking eighth in Jazz history.
Perhaps Green's biggest achievement was maintaining his starting role for most of John Stockton's first three seasons in the NBA. Eventually, Stockton took over and Green was basically phased out during the 1988 playoffs, but that inauspicious ending of his Jazz tenure did not obscure everything that he meant to the team in its early stages in Utah.
Thurl Bailey, No. 11
Who he is » The Jazz's first-round draft choice in 1983 (No. 7 overall), the forward from North Carolina State's NCAA championship team missed only four games in his first eight seasons with the team. Traded to Minnesota for Tyrone Corbin in November 1991, he returned to the Jazz for the lockout-shortened 1999 season at age 37.
Why he's No. 11 » The top 10 players in these rankings are All-Stars, U.S. Olympians or have had their jerseys retired. The lack of any of those distinctions separates Bailey from the others, but his credentials are otherwise strong. He ranks fifth in franchise history with 708 games played, and he was a top-level player in his prime -- averaging 19.5 and 19.6 points in consecutive seasons. In the Jazz's memorable 1988 postseason, Bailey averaged 23.2 points in 40.8 minutes of 11 games.
Andrei Kirilenko, No. 12
Who he is » One of the Jazz's three first-round draft choices in 1999 when he was 18, Kirilenko left his native Russia and joined the team two years later and became one of only five players in franchise history to make the NBA All-Rookie Team. In his eighth season, he's now one of only nine players to have played 500 games for the franchise and ranks high on the all-time lists in several statistical categories.
Why he's No. 12 » Kirilenko was an All-Star in 2004, when the Jazz overachieved but still missed the playoffs. Otherwise, he would rank higher. He was no longer one of the team's top performers in '07, when the Jazz returned to the playoffs and reached the Western Conference Finals. However, he has resumed a valuable role this season, coming off the bench and finishing most games.
Truck Robinson, No. 13
Who he is » Signed as a free agent from Atlanta in the summer of 1977, the 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward played in every game for a season and a half before being traded to Phoenix for Ron Lee, Marty Byrnes and two first-round draft picks. Robinson joined Pete Maravich as the Jazz's only All-Stars of the New Orleans era, honored in 1978.
Why he's No. 13 » If not for having played only 125 games for the Jazz, Robinson would rank much higher. He was a tireless, ferocious rebounder, playing 43.4 minutes a game and -- despite his modest size -- averaging 14.9 boards to go with 23.2 points. He posted double-doubles in 109 of his 125 games and had more 20-20 games (16) than Karl Malone (12) had in 18 years with the team.
Mehmet Okur, No. 14
Who he is » Signed as a free agent from Detroit during the Jazz's spending spree in summer 2004, the center from Turkey has proven to be durable and has provided unique outside shooting ability at his position.
Why he's No. 14 » He's one of only 10 players to appear in the NBA All-Star Game in Jazz history, and "Memo" has become a fan favorite with his three-point shooting. He's approaching 400 games in a Jazz uniform and his averages of about 16 points and eight rebounds rank high among the team's frontcourt players. His defensive work against Houston's Yao Ming in 2007 helped the Jazz win their first playoff series in 7 years.
Rich Kelley, No. 15
Who he is » The Jazz's first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) in 1975, the center from Stanford played the remaining four seasons of the New Orleans era before being traded to New Jersey for Jim Boylan, John Gianelli and Bernard King. He came to Utah from Denver in February 1983 for Danny Schayes and stayed two seasons.
Why he's No. 15 » Kelley averaged 8.1 points and 8.0 rebounds in 497 games as a Jazzman. He helped the Jazz reach the playoffs for the first time in 1984 and finished his second stint with the team as a member of the "Fire-Sale Five" that sparked the fourth-quarter comeback in the deciding Game 5 of a 1985 playoff series at Houston.
Bryon Russell, No. 16
Who he is » A second-round draft choice from Long Beach State in 1994, the swingman played nine seasons with the team and ranks seventh all-time in games played (628). He signed with Washington as a free agent in 2002 and was never as productive.
Why he's No. 16 » He will always be remembered as the defender who was brushed aside and gave up Michael Jordan's winning shot in the fateful Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, but Russell meant a lot to the Jazz over nine seasons. In '97, Russell helped the Jazz reach the Finals by starting all 20 playoff games and averaging 15.9 points in the postseason.
Jeff Malone, No. 17
Who he is » Acquired from Washington in June 1990 as part of a three-team deal that sent Bobby Hansen and Eric Leckner to Sacramento, Malone was expected to provide outside shooting that could carry the Jazz further in the playoffs, and he mostly delivered. The team upgraded again in February 1994 by sending Malone to Philadelphia for Jeff Hornacek.
Why he's No. 17 » Malone fulfilled his mission in 1991-92 when he shot 51.1 percent from the field and averaged 20.2 points for the Jazz's first Western Conference finals team. He was averaging 16.2 points at the time of his trade, good enough for the 76ers to consider him at Hornacek's value level.
Matt Harpring, No. 18
Who he is » The forward was expected to be just another complementary player when he arrived along with Calbert Cheaney as a free-agent acquisition in 2002, when the Jazz were trying to remain competitive at the end of the Stockton-Malone era. Instead, Harpring emerged as a big scorer that season and has remained a key player for seven years, while limited by injuries.
Why he's No. 18 » His scoring average has fallen each season, usually in relation to his playing time, but few players in team history can match his five consecutive years of double-figures production. Harpring averaged 11.6 points in 2006-07 when the Jazz reached the Western Conference finals.
John Drew, No. 19
Who he is » Drew is often overlooked among the benefits of the Jazz's trade of the rights to first-round draft choice Dominique Wilkins to Atlanta. Besides much-needed cash, the team landed the high-scoring forward in 1982. Drug problems would limit him to 144 games over three seasons, however.
Why he's No. 19 » Drew was apparently drug-free, healthy and productive in 1983-84, the team's first playoff season. He appeared in 81 games and averaged 17.7 points in only 22.2 minutes, living up to his "Gunslinger" nickname, while shooting 47.9 percent from the field.
Bobby Hansen, No. 20
Who he is » A third-round draft choice from Iowa in 1983, the guard appeared in the playoffs during all seven of his seasons with the Jazz. He was traded to Sacramento in 1990 in a three-team deal that brought Jeff Malone to Utah.
Why he's No. 20 » Hansen produced two hallmark seasons in Utah, both when Darrell Griffith was injured. In 1985-86, he started all 82 games and averaged 8.7 points, then made 27 of 37 shots (.730) in a four-game playoff loss to Dallas. In 1988, when the Jazz beat Portland before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games, he averaged 37.1 minutes in 11 playoff games and scored 18.8 points.
Howard Eisley, No. 21
Who he is » The Jazz searched seemingly forever for a dependable backup to John Stockton before signing Eisley as a free agent in December 1995. He became a fixture during the team's greatest era, staying until 2000 when he was traded to Dallas in the four-team deal that brought Donyell Marshall to Utah. Eisley returned for the 2004-05 season.
Why he's No. 21 » Eisley provided consistency behind Stockton, and he also kept the Jazz afloat at the start of the 1997-98 season when Stockton missed 18 games after knee surgery. During that 62-20 season, Eisley averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 assists in 21.0 minutes.
Greg Ostertag, No. 22
Who he is » The Jazz's first-round draft pick from Kansas in 1995, the 7-foot-2 center spent 10 of his 11 pro seasons in Utah before retiring.
Why he's No. 22 » Few players in team history have aroused such strong criticism -- "Spittin' fire" was how his sister once described fans' reactions to him -- but only five Jazzmen have played more than Ostertag's 700 games and four of their jerseys are retired. And as he will tell you, the Jazz's worst season in recent history (26-56) was the year he spent in Sacramento in 2004-05. He ranks second on the Jazz's all-time list in blocked shots (1,253) and fourth in rebounds (3,978).
Shandon Anderson, No. 23
Who he is » A second-round draft pick in 1996, Anderson stayed three seasons in Utah before signing with New York as a free agent, with longtime Jazz personnel man Scott Layden having joined the Knicks that summer.
Why he's No. 23 » Anderson is another player whose value was boosted by his NBA Finals experience. As a second-year player, the swingman from Georgia averaged 8.3 points in 19.5 minutes while playing in all 82 regular-season games for a 62-20 team in 1997-98. To conclude his Jazz stay, he averaged 10.5 points in two playoff rounds in 1999.
Antoine Carr, No. 24
Who he is » Signed as a free agent in 1994 when he was 33, the "Big Dawg" started only 12 games in his Jazz career, but he was a big contributor for four seasons, including two NBA Finals appearances. Carr was known for rushing from the bench to the scorer's table to check in, while adjusting his goggles.
Why he's No. 24 » The center/forward was steady, averaging 7.5 points in 18.8 minutes during the regular season and he also appeared in 63 playoff games. His stock was raised by his work in 20 playoff games in each of his last two seasons with the team, when he posted close to five points a game in 14 minutes.
Gail Goodrich, No. 25
Who he is » When he joined the New Orleans Jazz as a coveted free agent in 1976 and the team gave up two first-round draft picks as compensation for Goodrich, nobody knew the Los Angeles Lakers would end up drafting Magic Johnson with the No. 1 overall pick in 1979. The guard, who spent the team's final three seasons in New Orleans, was 33 when he signed with the team.
Why he's No. 25 » He was healthy and productive in 1977-78, the best season of the New Orleans era, and helped justify his Basketball Hall of Fame induction by averaging 16.1 points and shooting 49.5 percent from the field.
David Benoit, No. 26
Who he is » Signed as a free agent in 1991, the forward from Alabama became a fixture in Utah for five seasons, including two Western Conference finals appearances, before signing with New Jersey as a free agent. He made a one-year comeback with the Jazz in 2000-01 after undergoing alcohol rehabilitation.
Why he's No. 26 » Benoit will always be remembered for his failed three-point attempts at the end of a first-round playoff series against Houston in 1995, but he was otherwise outstanding that season. He averaged 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in the regular season and raised his scoring average to 16.2 in the five-game playoff series.
No. 27 Jeff Wilkins
Who he is » Nicknamed "The Franchise" by broadcaster Hot Rod Hundley, Wilkins was discovered with guard Rickey Green at Billings (Mont.) of the Continental Basketball Association by Frank Layden in December 1980. The forward/center played for parts of six seasons before being traded to San Antonio for Marc Iavaroni and Jeff Cook in February 1986.
Why he's No. 27 » Wilkins was a key component of the Jazz's growth into a perennial playoff team. He averaged 8.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 22.2 minutes over 427 games. His best postseason work came in 1985, when he averaged 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds in 10 games.
Tyrone Corbin, No. 28
Who he is » In November 1991, the Jazz sent franchise cornerstone Thurl Bailey and a second-round pick to Minnesota for Corbin. The forward spent three seasons in Utah before being traded to Atlanta with a second-round pick for Adam Keefe. Now a Jazz assistant coach, Corbin played for nine teams in his 16-year NBA career.
Why he's No. 28 » Corbin helped elevate the Jazz to a Western Conference finals team, with two such advancements in his three seasons. He averaged 9.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 233 regular-season games. His best work came during the 1992 playoff run, when he posted 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds in 16 games.
Blue Edwards, No. 29
Who he is » The Jazz's first-round selection in 1989, the guard had two stints in Utah. After three seasons, he was traded to Milwaukee with Eric Murdock and a first-round pick for Jay Humphries and Larry Krystkowiak. In February 1995, the team brought him back, sending Humphries to Boston. Edwards went to Vancouver in the expansion draft four months later.
Why he's No. 29 » Edwards was a rare rookie who played in every game, averaging 8.9 points as the No. 21 overall pick. He was outstanding in his third season, starting 81 games and averaging 12.6 points with 52 percent shooting for the Jazz's first Western Conference finals team.
No. 30 Donyell Marshall
Who he is » Acquired in 2000 from Golden State in a four-team deal that cost the Jazz guard Howard Eisley and forward Adam Keefe, Marshall was the most productive player brought in to maximize the team's playoff push in the final years of Karl Malone and John Stockton. After two seasons, he signed with Chicago as a free agent.
Why he's No. 30 » Other than missing 23 games to injury in 2001-02, Marshall did what the Jazz asked of him. He averaged 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 29.3 minutes over two seasons, shooting 51 percent from the field. He was less effective in two first-round playoff defeats, however.
Tom Chambers, No. 31
Who he is » An Ogden native and former University of Utah star, the forward was 34 when he joined the Jazz as a free agent in 1993. He played two seasons with the team, adding to the 20,000-plus points he scored during his 17-year NBA career, spent mostly in Seattle and Phoenix.
Why he's No. 31 » Chambers played in all but three games during his two seasons and could still score, averaging 11.2 points in 23.0 minutes for the Jazz's Western Conference finals team in 1993-94. He posted only 5.8 points in 16 playoff games, however, shooting 36 percent from the field. Chambers averaged 6.2 points the next season.
Aaron James, No. 32
Who he is » One of the few New Orleans-era players to make the top 35, the forward from Grambling in Louisiana was the team's second-round draft choice in 1974. He stayed through the Jazz's five seasons in New Orleans, concluding his NBA career at age 26.
Why he's No. 32 » James appeared in 356 of a possible 410 games in New Orleans. He was consistent, averaging between 9.0 and 12.2 points in his five seasons, finishing with a 10.8 scoring average. James made all 11 of his field-goal attempts against Phoenix in a 1979 game, setting a franchise record that stood for 20 years until Karl Malone went 12-for-12.
No. 33 Ben Poquette
Who he is » Signed as a free agent soon after the Jazz's move to Salt Lake City was approved in 1979, the center appeared in all but seven games during his four seasons in Utah. He was sold to Cleveland in October 1983. Mark Eaton's development made him expendable.
Why he's No. 33 » As a 6-foot-9 center, Poquette was a dependable player for a bad team that had personnel coming and going. He averaged 9.0 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 50.7 percent in those four seasons, and his numbers were similar each year -- except in 1981-82, when rookie Danny Schayes took away some of his playing time.
Paul Millsap, No. 34
Who he is » Drafted out of Louisiana Tech in 2006, the forward became a rotation regular as a rookie, and his role has expanded considerably in his third year, with Carlos Boozer injured for much of the season.
Why he's No. 34 » Millsap played his way into the top 35 by averaging about 15 points and nine rebounds in the first half of the season. He already had established himself as a dependable player, averaging 7.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 19.4 minutes through two pro seasons, while appearing in every regular-season and playoff game.
Adam Keefe, No. 35
Who he is » Acquired from Atlanta in a trade for Tyrone Corbin and a second-round draft pick just before the 1994-95 season, the Stanford forward spent six years in Utah. The Jazz sent him to Golden State in 2000 as part of a four-team trade.
Why he's No. 35 » Without prompting, Karl Malone endorsed Keefe as a top-35 selection by declaring him the most underrated teammate in his 18-year Jazz career. Keefe averaged 5.2 points while appearing in 405 games, but he was a steady player as a starter in 1997-98, when the Jazz won a franchise-high 62 games and returned to the finals. Keefe posted 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 25.6 minutes a game that season.
Mike Brown, No. 36
Who he is » In the expansion draft process in 1988, the Jazz traded Kelly Tripucka to Charlotte for Brown, making Brown part of the Spencer Haywood-Adrian Dantley lineage in franchise history. Popular because of his hustle and physical play, the "Brown Bear" spent five seasons in Utah, appearing in every regular-season game during his last four years.
Why he's No. 36 » Brown can blame Carlos Boozer's injuries and Paul Millsap's resulting ascent for knocking him out of the top 35. Otherwise, he overcame modest statistics of 5.7 points and 4.8 rebounds with his consistency, playing in 394 games for an average of 18.2 minutes.
Spencer Haywood, No. 37
Who he is » Acquired in January 1979 from New York in a trade for Joe C. Meriwether, the forward finished out the Jazz's final season in New Orleans, playing in 34 games. Shortly before the team's first season in Salt Lake City, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Adrian Dantley.
Why he's No. 37 » His short stay with the franchise keeps him out of the top 35, but Haywood was a prolific scorer and rebounder in New Orleans. In those 34 games, mostly coinciding with Pete Maravich's injury absence, he averaged 24 points and 9.6 rebounds, while playing 39.4 minutes a game.
Ronnie Brewer, No. 38
Who he is » The Jazz's first-round draft pick (No. 14) from Arkansas in 2006, Brewer played limited minutes as a rookie before becoming a starter in his second season after guard Derek Fisher left the team. Amid the team's injuries this season, Brewer has remained healthy and fairly consistent in his third year, showing signs of developing his outside shooting to complement his athletic ability.
Why he's No. 38 » Brewer has climbed significantly on this list from his position at the beginning of this season, increasing his scoring average from last year's 12.0 mark to 14 points. His only shortcomings in comparison to the top 35 players are his lack of major playoff contributions and having played fewer than 200 games.
Derek Fisher, No. 39
Who he is » Having arrived from Golden State in a 2006 trade for Devin Brown, Keith McLeod and Andre Owens, the veteran guard played only one season in Utah. Fisher asked to be released so his infant daughter would have more accessible care for a rare form of cancer.
Why he's No. 39 » Fisher shot only 38.2 percent in 2006-07 while averaging 10.1 points, but his leadership was credited with helping a young team reach the Western Conference finals. His dramatic entrance late in the third quarter of a playoff game against Golden State, after he spent much of the day in New York while his daughter underwent surgery, became one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
Carlos Arroyo, No. 40
Who he is » Signed as a free agent before the 2002-03 season, Arroyo found a place in Jazz history the following season as the point guard who replaced John Stockton in the starting lineup. He played remarkably well that year, but after a strong performance for Puerto Rico in the 2004 Olympics, Arroyo became unhappy in the Jazz's system and was traded to Detroit, joining the Pistons' run to the NBA Finals. He then went to Orlando and now is playing in Israel.
Why he's No. 40 » Arroyo was outstanding in 2003-04, averaging 12.6 points and 5.0 assists as Stockton's successor. His play in the Olympics as a Jazzman that summer also elevates him in the rankings.
Jarron Collins, No. 41
Who he is » The Stanford center is deep on the bench these days at age 30, but he still is approaching 500 games played for the Jazz and once was a solid contributor. His twin brother, Jason, also has played in the NBA for eight seasons and is now with Memphis.
Why he's No. 41 » Besides simply managing to have a lengthy career, Collins has made himself reasonably valuable at times. He averaged 6 points in 81 games in 2003-04 when the Jazz went 42-40 without Karl Malone and John Stockton and he appeared in all 82 regular-season games and 13 of the 17 playoff games in 2006-07 when the team reached the Western Conference finals.
Nate Williams, No. 42
Who he is » The only Utah State product ever to play for the Jazz and the first of seven players named Williams in team history, the forward arrived from Kansas City-Omaha in exchange for Rick Adelman and Ollie Johnson in the middle of the franchise's first season. He stayed not quite three calendar years.
Why he's No. 42 » Although his shooting percentage dropped off steadily from the .517 clip of his first season, he was a solid scorer in New Orleans. He ranked second to Pete Maravich for two years and behind Maravich and Gail Goodrich the following season, posting a high average of 12.8 points in 1975-76.
Raja Bell, No. 43
Who he is » Signed as a free agent just before training camp started in 2003, Bell was a key contributor to the Jazz's surprising success during that 42-40 season, following the departures of John Stockton and Karl Malone. Bell moved on after the following season, jumping on Phoenix's offer soon after the free agency period opened. Traded to Charlotte this season, he's helping the Bobcats improve lately.
Why he's No. 43 » Bell averaged 11.6 points in 26.3 minutes in his two-year Jazz stint, appearing in 145 games. He was an excellent three-point shooter, hitting 38.7 percent of his attempts. Bell also was the team's most quotable player of that era.
Jim McElroy, No. 44
Who he is » A third-round pick from Central Michigan in 1975, the guard quickly became one of the Jazz's best shooters. He improved his scoring average to 16.9 points on 49 percent shooting in 1978-79, just before the team moved to Utah, but was not re-signed. McElroy played three more seasons in the NBA, mostly with Atlanta after a stop in Detroit.
Why he's No. 44 » Even though his big offensive year came for a team that won only 26 games, McElroy's scoring has to be recognized. So does his 277-game career in a Jazz uniform, giving him one of the longest tenures in the team's New Orleans era.
Jay Humphries, No. 45
Who he is » A guard who could play both positions, Humphries came to the Jazz with Larry Krystkowiak from Milwaukee in a 1992 trade for Blue Edwards, Eric Murdock and a first-round pick. He was sent to Boston in the middle of his third season when the Jazz reacquired Edwards.
Why he's No. 45 » Humphries was 30 when his Jazz career began and he aged fast, going on the injured list twice during his last half-season with the team in 1994-95. But on Utah's Western Conference finals team the previous year, he averaged 7.5 points in 21.6 minutes while shooting 39.6 percent from three-point range. He scored 8.3 points in 16 playoff games that season.
Terry Furlow, No. 46
Who he is » Signed as a free agent about six weeks into the Jazz's first season in Utah after being released by Atlanta, the swingman from Michigan State became one of the team's top scorers and one of the franchise's tragic figures. He died in May 1980 in an auto accident at age 25; he reportedly was found to have cocaine in his system at the time. He played for four teams in four seasons in his NBA career.
Why he's No. 46 » He played in only 55 games for the Jazz, but few players in team history can match his 16.0 scoring average. Furlow essentially replaced Pete Maravich in the lineup and shot 47.6 percent from the field, besides averaging 4.0 assists in 31.2 minutes.
Danny Schayes, No. 47
Who he is » The Jazz's first-round draft choice (No. 13 overall) out of Syracuse in 1981, the center was traded to Denver for Rich Kelley and cash in the middle of his second season. He played a total of 18 seasons in the NBA, appearing in 1,138 games.
Why he's No. 47 » Schayes started slowly as a pro but was developing into a decent player when he was traded, for reasons that included the team's bleak financial outlook at the time. He had started 50 games in his second season in Utah and was averaging 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds while helping the Jazz overcome the injury absence of Adrian Dantley. As a rookie, he had averaged 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Louie Nelson, No. 48
Who he is » Another of the young players who came to New Orleans in the expansion draft (from Washington), the guard who was nicknamed "Sweets" played two years for the Jazz before being released just prior to the 1976-77 season. Nelson played only 33 more games in the NBA for three different teams.
Why he's No. 48 » The Jazz's signing of Gail Goodrich made him expendable, but Nelson was a solid scorer for two seasons. He averaged 11.8 points, posting a 12.5-point figure in 1975-76 when he was the Jazz's No. 3 scorer and they went 38-44.
Kyle Korver, No. 49
Who he is » Having arrived in late December of 2007 from Philadelphia in a trade for Gordan Giricek, the guard made an immediate impact, besides becoming a fan favorite. The Jazz were 16-16 at the time and they went 38-12 the rest of last season before advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Korver helped the Jazz break franchise records for three-point baskets and attempts in a season.
Why he's No. 49 » Korver averaged 9.8 points in his 50 games last season, but his production has dropped off somewhat this season. That's partly because of a wrist injury that bothered him early in the season, but more due to the further development of Ronnie Brewer.
Chris Morris, No. 50
Who he is » Signed as a free agent just before training camp opened in 1995, the forward spent three up-and-down seasons with the team and was not re-signed when his contract expired after the Jazz's second trip to the NBA Finals. Morris played in Phoenix the following season, completing his 11-year NBA career.
Why he's No. 50 » Morris makes the top 50 mostly because he averaged 10.5 points for a team that reached the Western Conference finals in 1996. He scored a team-high 25 points in a Game 4 victory over San Antonio in the second round. Morris appeared in all 20 playoff games in '97 as the Jazz played in the NBA Finals for the first time.
