Team:
Utah Jazz
Sport: NBA Basketball
Background: The Utah Jazz
are a National Basketball Association team
based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Founded: 1974
Formerly known as: New Orleans
Jazz (1974-79)
Home Arena: Delta Center
Uniform colors: Purple and
blue
Logo design: The word "JAZZ"
superimposed over a mountain inside a gold
ring with the word "UTAH" at the
top
Franchise history
The Jazz franchise began in New Orleans in
1974, and was relocated to Salt Lake City
in 1979. Reached the NBA playoffs for 19 years
in a row ending with the 2003-2004 season.
Reached the NBA finals twice, only to be beaten
by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls.
On March 7, 1974, the New Orleans Jazz became
the 18th member of the NBA in return for a
$6.15-million expansion franchise fee. In
a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, the Jazz acquired
the flashy 6-5 Maravich as the team's first
player. Aaron James was the club's initial
selection in the NBA Draft, and the Jazz filled
out the roster with veterans plucked from
other teams in the 1974 NBA Expansion Draft.
The opening lineup included E. C. Coleman,
Bud Stallworth, Walt Bellamy, Stu Lantz, and
Maravich. The organization hired Scotty Robertson
as head coach and named future Hall of Famer
Elgin Baylor as one of Robertson's assistants.
