There's a reason Jazz are hard-nosed defensive team - Jerry Sloan

Sloan was given a scholarship to Illinois, but didn't like the major-college setting and left to take a job at an oil refinery. He later enrolled at Evansville, and helped the Purple Aces win two Division II national championships.

As a 9-year-old, Sloan recalled that his Christmas wish list included a tractor, a basketball and a truck. Sloan is 55 now, but hasn't changed much.

"He's a hard-nosed guy who keeps it simple," said Jazz backup center Greg Foster. "All he wants you to do is bust your butt. Compete. And if you don't, he'll let you know."

The Jazz are trailing 3-2 going into Game 6 tonight at Chicago and must win two games at the United Center. This is blood-and-guts time. But a Sloan-coached team should put up a fight, the way he did in the same city many years ago.

"I knew I was going to get beat, but you had to prove it to me. You had to beat me first," Sloan said.

If the Bulls win, they'll have to earn it, prove it. Sloan's team won't give them an inch.