Longtime Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan opened up to the Salt Lake Tribune today and revealed that he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, a form of the disease that effects the body’s neurological system. The Sloans said that Jerry was diagnosed last fall: “You try to be be optimistic,” said Tammy Sloan, who is sitting next to her husband. “But it is what it is. Jerry’s had a wonderful life — the best life you can possibly imagine. But this is not going to reverse itself and go away.” There are good days, however. “When a basketball game comes on TV,” Tammy Sloan said, “he knows everything that’s ever happened.” Sloan, who coached the Jazz from 1988 to 2011, turned 74 last week. “It was life-and-death once,” her husband noted. Last week, former Utah Jazz executive assistant Judy Adams organized a surprise party for Sloan’s 74th birthday. A handful of close friends attended, including Frank Layden, who hired Sloan as one of his assistant coaches in 1984. “Every day is a different day,” Tammy Sloan said. “Some days he’s fine and some days he’s not-so-fine. But at that birthday party, he was as normal as he’s ever been. … He was in prime form, telling stories.’” Sloan has the third-most wins of all time for an NBA head coach, and he is the only coach ever to win 1,000 games with a single team besides Gregg Popovich. He had been with the Jazz for five years before he became the head coach, and he returned in 2013 to an advisory role (the story says he helped them draft Trey Lyles). According to the Sloans, Jerry’s condition has begun to decline, but remains optimistic, and is trying to get as many opinions and treatments as he can, which includes some “nontraditional” options that John Stockton recommended: Sloan continues to see several doctors. He has a checkup scheduled for Thursday at the University of Utah. At the urging of former Jazz star John Stockton, he has also driven to Pocatello for some nontraditional treatments. [...] Once, during a discussion of possible ways to fight his illnesses, a doctor suggested Sloan learn a foreign language to help keep his mind active, and to start playing the piano to help his coordination. [Salt Lake Tribune] http://deadspin.com/jerry-sloan-says-he-has-dementia-and-parkinsons-disease-1769538111
“When a basketball game comes on TV,” Tammy Sloan said, “he knows everything that’s ever happened.” Love this quote. It's a reminder that guys like Sloan who lived, played and coached basketball at the NBA level for over 50 years know way more about that game than us wannabes. Best wishes to the Sloan's as his condition deteriorates. BNM
I grew up a Bulls fan back in the day and Sloan was one of my favorite players. He was one tough mofo. That early-70s Bulls backcourt of Sloan and Norm Van Lier could lock shit down. BNM
He's one of the reasons I became a Bulls fan. To show how dysfunctional the Bulls organization is, how could they let him go coach anywhere but Chicago?
I hated the guy when he was the coach of the Jazz. HATED him. Actually, I just really hated that entire team. Still, I respected the hell out of him, and I find it extremely sad that he's going to go out this way. He also took part in one of the funniest players in basketball history.
I hated that Jazz team but have nothing but respect for Coach Sloan. Great coach, great human being, class act on and off the court. I hope he and his family and friends have many more goods days left together. If there was one word I would use to describe Jerry Sloan it's "tough".
I had such a love/hate relationship with the guy when he was a player. I thought he was the dirtiest player ever.....until he taught John Stockton all his tricks. But Sloan played with an unbelievable passion and just never quit. How can you not love a guy for that? Such sad news.
I think it's a testament to how good he was when you look at the career of Deron Williams. When he was a member of the Jazz, Deron was considered to be the second best point guard in the NBA. He wasn't quite as good as CP3, but he was damn close. As soon as he went to New Jersey/Brooklyn, his career took a nose dive. He has never been the same player since.
