See below for statements on the passing of longtime Utah Jazz head coach and Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan.
Pacers head coach Nate McMillan: "I admired and respected Coach Sloan and his teams. He had a style and a system that I have always wanted my teams to play like. Hard, tough, physical and together. I learned a lot from Coach Sloan from afar, competing against him and his teams. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. May he rest in peace."
Pacers executive Donnie Walsh: "Jerry Sloan was one of the toughest competitors in the NBA both as a player and as a coach. His competitiveness as a coach was passed on to his team. His teams in Utah were among the toughest and successful in the NBA. As competitive as Jerry was as a coach, he was just as warm and friendly as a person. Our careers were in the same time frame in the NBA. I always looked forward to seeing him. He was the first coach I interviewed for our head coaching position with the Pacers but he told me me he had already accepted the position as the head coach for the Jazz. I will miss Jerry and send my condolences to his family and many fans of the Utah Jazz."