"I can honestly say that nobody I know on the Jazz has any misgivings about Jerry at all, or a lack of confidence."

Earlier in the season, the Chicago Tribune ran a story under the headline "A Coaching Move that Makes Sense: Sloan and the Bulls." The scenario had current Bulls' coach Phil Jackson leaving after the season, which happened. However, since Sloan's original contract wasn't to expire until after next season, the Bulls would have to survive for a year with an interim coach. The next year they could bring back what the newspaper termed "the greatest original Bull."

Sloan returning to Chicago is fine drama. He remains a legendary figure in the Windy City. He has already been head coach there once but was fired midway through his third season - a move most basketball experts say was a rash decision. Sloan has a home in McLeansboro, Ill., and two adult children who live in Indianapolis. Chicago is a city he knows and a city where he is revered.

Sloan had called all the talk about his contract status "a distraction" and something he'd "rather not talk about." The veteran Jazz coach seemed almost embarrassed by all the fuss - which was fueled during the All-Star break when Malone brought it up.

"I've never looked for another job since I've been here," said Sloan, who has been the Jazz's head coach for 10 years and was Frank Layden's top assistant for four years prior to that. "I've always been comfortable here. The organization and Larry have always been very good to me. It was just a situation where there was probably a misunderstanding."

Sloan admitted he had been concerned that his contract hadn't been extended by a year, according to annual protocol. He was also upset that he hadn't had conversations on the subject with Jazz brass for a few months.

"I've been in one place for a long period of time," said Sloan. "It affected me a little bit. I can't say that it didn't. But then I realized that I'd kind of been too sensitive, I guess is the word, because I was worrying about something that shouldn't affect me at all. I had come to that conclusion before talking with anybody. (Miller) didn't need to come to talk to me. It was nice that he did, but it wasn't something that I was looking for."