The Utah Jazz began as the expansion New Orleans Jazz in 1974, prior to moving to Salt Lake City in 1979. Their best years in SLC were undoubtedly the period of NBA Hall of Famers John Stockton, Karl Malone and coach Jerry Sloan. This stretch of greatness included appearances in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals, finishing runner-up to Michael Jordan's Bulls dynasty teams both years.
Earlier this week, when iFolloSports.com was in Salt Lake City, the above original photo of the John Stockton and Karl Malone statues (set outside of the EnergySolutions Arena) was taken.
The guard-forward duo was famous for their pick and roll offense, as Stockton is the NBA's all-time assists and steals leader, with Malone placing second on the league's all-time scoring list.
Formerly known as the Delta Center, the EnergySolutions Arena was built in 1991 and is perhaps most famous for being the site of both Michael Jordan's famous flu game (Game 5 of the 1997 Finals) and his series winning shot in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals. That iconic jumper clinched the Bulls sixth and final championship and was the most watched single game in NBA history.