Utah Jazz: No decision on possible repercussions for Jerry Sloan

SALT LAKE CITY — The NBA still hasn't decided if it will suspend coach Jerry Sloan for making contact with veteran referee Michael Smith in a loss Friday night at Phoenix, so Sloan coached the Jazz's home game against New Orleans on Saturday night.

Punishment, if warranted, typically is handed down prior to a team's next game.

But a league spokesman said via e-mail Saturday that a "review is ongoing," leaving open the possibility of a fine and/or suspension even though Sloan worked the Jazz-Hornets game.

"I guess everybody's a judge and jury in this situation, it sounds like," Sloan said.

Sloan didn't seem bothered that the league had not made a decision, but some within the franchise were miffed that he was made to coach without knowing.

The longtime Jazz coach and recently inducted Naismith Hall of Fame inductee was ejected with 0.2 seconds remaining in Friday's game but suggested afterward that he was defending himself from Smith when he raised his forearm to the veteran ref's chest.

Sloan — who was interviewed by NBA security personnel — stood by that assertion Saturday, saying, "I don't know anything changed."

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said he had not spoken with anyone from the league as of about an hour before game-time Saturday night.

"As far as I'm concerned," he said, "it's a non-issue until and unless we hear something."

But the Jazz GM did back Sloan's contention that Smith got much too close.

"My question," O'Connor said, "is what was the referee trying to get 6 inches from him for? I don't know."

Sloan on Friday suggested Smith gave him no choice but to defend himself.

"I put my arm up to keep him from coming any farther," he said immediately after the game. "I've had trouble with him before. So that's why I did that."

Sloan on Saturday had no comment when asked to detail his history with Smith, who was not made available for comment on Sloan's accusations.

Sloan first tried to approach the game's three referees while they reviewed a hard last-second Grant Hill foul that floored Jazz guard Ronnie Price, who was driving for a meaningless dunk as the 110-100 loss came to a close.

But arena security stopped Sloan, as coaches and players aren't permitted near the officials during video reviews.

Smith and Sloan met afterward along the sideline, and — even as Sloan warned him in no uncertain terms not to come closer — came within inches of the Jazz coach before Sloan put his arm up and contact was made.

A review of TV footage showed there was some slight arm movement forward from Sloan, but it wasn't much and didn't seem to rise to the level of a shove.

Sloan said he wasn't complaining about the Hill-Price play, though.