Jazz cement Stockton's impact on team, state with bronze statue

The yin-yang was Challis' idea. He designed the entire plaza, as well as the statue that is already in place and the one in the works.

Oh, and he may have another job after that.

Someone asked Stockton if Sloan should have his own pedestal and bronze nearby. Ever the practical one, Stockton responded, "Do you know what these things cost?"

But he added, "Jerry's been a huge part. Speaking for myself, none of this happens for me without him. Perfect coach at the perfect time and a great friend, so I think it would be money well spent."

So does Miller, who put the cost of each statue at about $175,000-$200,000 and the cost of the plaza at about the same, making the whole scene, when completed, about $600,000.

He has already gotten great satisfaction from the project, especially after seeing fans Wednesday walking up to the yin-yang — which is inlaid with bronze plaques mentioning a dozen of Stockton's biggest accomplishments, 12 of Malone's and eight Stockton-to-Malone moments. There are also hand- and foot-prints and autographs of each, and old and new Jazz logos. On Wednesday, Miller watched fans put their hands and feet into the impressions of Stockton and Malone to see how they measured up, just as Miller had hoped they would find pleasure in doing.

Miller has already mulled the idea of a third statue — of Sloan — as Stockton would like to see. "Absolutely. It has been contemplated," Miller said. "It's something that, just as John did at first, Jerry would resist, as far as nature and personality, but he's been pretty special, too.

"Might even want to put him on his tractor," Miller added about Sloan, the southern Illinois farmer who moonlights in Utah when the growing season wanes.

Like Stockton said, he thinks his statue looks lonely. And he likes to consider the whole episode — uncomfortable as always for him — as something in which all Jazz fans had a part.

"It's very humbling," Stockton said, "the responsibility of sitting up there.

"It's acceptable," he added, "when it's shared by all."

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